Factors Associated With Mortality After Surgical Management of Femoral Neck Fractures

BACKGROUND: Hip fractures are recognized as one of the most devastating injuries impacting older adults because of the complications that follow. Mortality rates postsurgery can range from 14% to 58% within one year of fracture. We aimed to identify factors associated with increased risk of mortality within 24 months of a femoral neck fracture in patients aged ≥50 years enrolled in the FAITH and HEALTH trials. METHODS: Two multivariable Cox proportional hazards regressions were used to investigate potential prognostic factors that may be associated with mortality within 90 days and 24 months of hip fracture. RESULTS: Ninety-one (4.1%) and 304 (13.5%) of 2247 participants died within 90 days and 24 months of suffering a femoral neck fracture, respectively. Older age (P < 0.001), lower body mass index (P = 0.002), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class III/IV/V (P = 0.004), use of an ambulatory aid before femoral neck fracture (P < 0.001), and kidney disease (P < 0.001) were associated with a higher risk of mortality within 24 months of femoral neck fracture. Older age (P = 0.03), lower body mass index (P = 0.02), use of an ambulatory aid before femoral neck fracture (P < 0.001), and having a comorbidity (P = 0.04) were associated with a higher risk of mortality within 90 days of femoral neck fracture. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis found that factors that are indicative of a poorer health status were associated with a higher risk of mortality within 24 months of femoral neck fracture. We did not find a difference in treatment methods (internal fixation vs. joint arthroplasty) on the risk of mortality. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence

What Predicts Health-Related Quality of Life for Patients With Displaced Femoral Neck Fractures Managed With Arthroplasty? A Secondary Analysis of the HEALTH Trial

BACKGROUND: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) has been argued to improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and function in femoral neck fracture patients compared with hemiarthroplasty (HA). The HEALTH trial showed no clinically important functional advantages of THA over HA. The current analysis explores factors associated with HRQoL and function in this population. METHODS: Using repeated measures regression, we estimated the association between HRQoL and function [Short Form-12 (SF-12) physical component score (PCS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) function score] and 23 variables. RESULTS: THA as compared to monopolar HA, but not bipolar HA, was more likely to improve PCS scores (adjusted mean difference [AMD] 1.88 points, P = 0.02), whereas higher American Society of Anesthesiologists score (AMD -2.64, P < 0.01), preoperative use of an aid (AMD -2.66, P < 0.01), and partial weight-bearing status postoperatively (AMD -1.38, P = 0.04) demonstrated less improvement of PCS scores over time. THA improved WOMAC function scores over time compared with monopolar HA (but not bipolar HA) (AMD -2.40, P < 0.01), whereas higher American Society of Anesthesiologists classification (AMD 1.99, P = 0.01) and preoperative use of an aid (AMD 5.39, P < 0.01) were associated with lower WOMAC function scores. Preoperative treatment for depression was associated with lower functional s