Mortality risk factor in centenarians with proximal femoral fractures

Given the increased life expectancy, an increasing number of proximal femur fractures (PFFs) will occur in centenarian patients. In these patients, PFF has a serious impact on quality of life with high morbidity and mortality and an increase in total cost of care. Therefore, it is important to understand the surgical outcome for this group of patients defining preoperative risk factors.

From January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2020, 33 centenarian patients with PFF were treated with locked nail or hemiarthroplasty. Mortality risk factors were assessed. Several survival-related factors were evaluated using the log-rank test and univariate Cox regression statistical analysis for categorical and quantitative variables, respectively. Significative variables at the univariate analysis were included in the Cox multivariate model, using Backward Elimination technique. A P value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant for all tests. Software STATA 17.0 was used for statistical analysis.

Centenarians with femoral neck and pertrochanteric fracture were treated with hemiarthroplasty and locked nail, respectively. At the time of admission, only 21% had normal hemoglobin value. Postoperatively, a moderate anemia was observed in 45% of patients and a severe dementia was observed in 18%. In 85% of patients, Charlson Index was less than 3. At the time of admission, 30% of them were considered independent in walking and activity of daily living (ADL), but at discharge ambulation was worsened and none of them were independent in ADL at one month. Postoperative delirium was observed in 30% of patients preventing a complete rehabilitation program. One month after discharge 27% of patients were readmitted in hospital for complications. Mortality was 16%, 59%, and 66% at 1-6-12 months, respectively. At a multivariate evaluation, male, severe anemia and Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC) score < 3 at admission were the only variables statistically related to high risk of mortality.

The anemia value was found to be related to mortality, and a quick restoration of these values is necessary. Geriatric and functional status scores, especially FAC score, are related to survival, providing an accurate prognosis. In our study, a high percentage of patients are unable to return to their pre-fracture level of independence. This suggests that the prognosis for centenarian patients with PFF may be as poor as previously thought.