The CONUT Score Independently Predicts Mortality in Older Patients with Hip Fracture

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Malnutrition is common in older adults with hip fractures, impacting surgical outcomes.
• Its prognostic significance for mortality is often overlooked in orthopaedic practice.
• The Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score is an objective tool, but its long-term predictive value post-hip fracture needs more evidence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if the CONUT score independently predicts mortality in elderly hip fracture patients.
• To evaluate the prognostic relevance of nutritional status assessed by CONUT score.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective observational cohort study of 2798 patients (≥70 years) with hip fracture.
• Nutritional status assessed using the CONUT score at admission.
• Survival analysis using Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox models adjusted for confounders.

Main Results:

• 79.2% of patients had some degree of nutritional risk.
• Higher CONUT scores were independently associated with increased long-term mortality (22% higher risk per one-point increase).
• Poorer nutritional status correlated with more complications, transfusions, and longer hospital stays.

Conclusions:

• The CONUT score is an independent predictor of mortality in older hip fracture patients.
• Objective nutritional screening can enhance perioperative risk stratification.
• Integrating nutritional assessment into orthogeriatric care may optimize multidisciplinary management.