Dependency after hip fracture in geriatric patients: a study of predictive factors

Five hundred and sixteen community-dwelling, ambulatory, geriatric hip fracture patients who were independent prior to fracture were followed prospectively to determine which patients regained their prefracture independent living status at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. At 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up, 78, 77, and 76% of the patients, respectively, had regained their prefracture independent living status. Analysis was performed to determine which pre- and postinjury factors were predictive of a patient regaining prefracture independent living status at 3, 6, and 12 months after fracture. Patients who were younger than age 85, independent in activities of daily living prior to fracture, independent in ambulation at hospital discharge, and who had three or more medical comorbidities were more likely to regain their prefracture independent living status.