Purpose of the research: Examining pre- and perioperative predictors of changes in mobility and living arrangements after hip fracture.
Materials and methods: Population-based prospective data were collected on 1027 hip fracture patients aged ≥65. The outcomes were decreased vs. same or improved mobility level and need for more supported vs. same or less supported living arrangements 1 year after hip fracture. The independent variables were age, gender, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, diagnosis of memory disorder, mobility level and living arrangements, fracture type, delay to surgery and urinary catheter removal during acute hospitalization.
The principal results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed the prefracture mobility level of walking outdoors (OR=0.47, 95% CI 0.30-0.75) or indoors (OR=0.25, 95% CI 0.09-0.72) assisted to be associated with a smaller decrease in mobility level. Non-independent mobility level (OR=2.74, 95% CI 1.70-4.41) was associated with the need of more supported living arrangements. Living in assisted living accommodations (OR=0.23, 95% CI 0.12-0.44) was associated with less need for more supported living arrangements. Removal of the urinary catheter showed a protective association on both decline in mobility level (OR=0.45; 95% CI 0.29-0.70) and moving to a more supported living arrangement(OR=0.49,95% CI 0.31-0.77.
Major conclusions: Worsening of mobility was significant for independent mobilizers. Prefracture impaired mobility was associated with the need of more supported living arrangements. Living in an assisted living accommodation protected against institutionalization. The findings emphasize the importance of a prompt removal of the urinary catheter after hip fracture.
Keywords: Aged; Hip fracture; Living arrangements; Mobility level; Outcome; Population-based.
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