Hip fractures are a major public health problem. By 2050, 6.3 to 8.2 million hip fractures will occur annually worldwide. Studies have indicated that mortality rate is increased 1 year after hip fractures in women.                                                                          Team@CMHF

Women who break a hip at age 65 years or older face double the risk of dying within the coming year compared with those without a hip fracture, even if they have an otherwise excellent bill of health, according to an analysis of osteoporotic fractures published online September 26 in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Hospitalization, surgery and immobility lead to other complications that ultimately result in their death.

It was observed that patients with hip fracture had a lower body mass index, lower total hip bone mineral density, and more cigarette smoking exposure vs control participants. There was a significant interaction between age and the risk for death after fracture. The risk for death after fracture decreased as age increased.

“Those who are younger and/or healthier have a low risk of dying from other causes,” the authors explain. “Therefore, experiencing a hip fracture may increase their mortality risk…. In contrast, octogenarians generally have a relatively high risk of dying from other causes; therefore, experiencing a hip fracture does not result in an increased risk of death during the next year compared with other women their age, unless they are exceptionally healthy.”

“This is a wake-up call that the first year after a hip fracture is a critical time for all elderly women, but especially for younger women, ages 65-69, who face a much higher death rate compared to their peers,” said Dr. LeBlanc in a written statement.

“We need to do more to prevent hip fractures from occurring, and we need to study how best to care for women after fracture to prevent these deaths.”

Reference:http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/750611?src=cmemp