Radiographic Thigh Muscle Measurements Are Independently Associated with 1-Year Mortality Following Hip Fracture...

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Radiology

Background:

• Geriatric hip fractures carry high mortality and morbidity.
• Sarcopenia is a known predictor of mortality.
• Radiographic thigh muscle measurements can proxy sarcopenia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if radiographic thigh muscle measurements are independently associated with 1-year mortality after hip fracture surgery.
• To investigate the prognostic value of thigh muscle dimensions in elderly hip fracture patients.

Main Methods:

• Inclusion of 199 patients (≥70 years) with hip fractures undergoing surgery.
• Measurement of thigh muscle diameter and soft tissue size on preoperative radiographs.
• Multivariable logistic regression analysis to assess association with 1-year mortality.

Main Results:

• One-year mortality was 22%.
• Increased anteroposterior thigh muscle diameter was independently associated with lower 1-year mortality (aOR 0.74, P=0.028).
• No significant association found for lateral thigh diameter or soft tissue measurements.

Conclusions:

• Greater anteroposterior thigh muscle diameter predicts decreased 1-year mortality post-hip fracture.
• Radiographic measurements may complement frailty assessments for individualized patient care.
• Findings suggest a potential role for simple radiographic parameters in prognostication.