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Erschienen in:
01.02.2014 | Original Article
What determines health-related quality of life in hip fracture patients at the end of acute care?—a prospective observational study
Erschienen in: Osteoporosis International | Ausgabe 2/2014
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Summary
Hip fractures are associated with reduced health-related quality of life (HrQoL). We found pre-existing need of care or limited function, cognitive impairment, and depression to be independent factors associated with lower HrQoL during the postsurgical period. In contrast, joint replacement was associated with better HrQoL compared to internal fixation. Patients’ treatment should be focused on functional recovery and treatment of depression.
Introduction
The aim of the study was to identify independent factors that were correlated with health-related quality of life (HrQoL) after hip fracture.
Methods
A total of 402 patients with a mean age of 81 years suffering from a hip fracture were included in this prospective, observational cohort study. HrQoL (determined by the EuroQol instrument) was measured at admission and at discharge from an acute care hospital. Independent factors correlated with HrQoL at discharge and changes from pre-fracture to discharge were determined using multivariate analyses. The influence of antidepressants was evaluated by an ANOVA with repeated measurements.
Results
Need of care prior to fracture was the most important determinant of EQ-5D index at discharge (ß = −0.359, p = 0.003). Additionally, low Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) was associated with a lower EQ-5D index at discharge (MMSE 0–9: ß = −0.238, p <0.001; MMSE 10–19: ß = −0.294, p <0.001) and a greater decrease in EQ-5D during hospitalisation (MMSE 10–19: ß = 0.281, p <0.001), while joint replacement (compared to internal fixation) was associated with a higher EQ-5D index (ß = 0.188, p = 0.002) and a lower decrease in the index (ß = −0.216, p = 0.003). EQ VAS values at discharge were correlated with pre-fracture Barthel Index (ß = 0.253, p <0.001) and Geriatric Depression Scale scores (ß = −0.135, p = 0.026). Depressive patients on antidepressants demonstrated less of a decrease in the EQ-5D index compared to patients not receiving medication (F = 2.907, p = 0.090).
Conclusions
Acute care of hip fracture patients should be focused on functional recovery and treatment of depression. When the preferred surgical strategy is unclear, joint replacement should be considered.