Outcome of hip fracture in older Irish women: a 2-year follow-up of subjects in a case-control study.

To assess outcome after hip fracture in older Irish women, 106 consecutive females aged over 50 years admitted to a general hospital with a hip fracture were compared to 89 age- and gender-matched controls from the same catchment area. Interview-based data were collected on socio-demographic factors, mobility and activities of daily living before recruitment and 2 years later. Information was also collected on residence, further falls and fractures and use of health and community support services during the 2-year period. Mortality at 2 years was higher in cases (23.6%) compared to controls (10.1%; P = 0.01). Cases were significantly less mobile and more dependent in the activities of daily living. Of the cases who were community dwellers at baseline, 26.6% were institutionalised at 2 years compared with 9.2% of controls (P = 0.01). During the 2 years cases were significantly more likely to have multiple falls and a further hip or pelvic fracture. Hospital and nursing home admissions and use of physiotherapy, day centre and home help services were also significantly greater among cases. The marked adverse impact of hip fracture reported in this study underlines the importance of public health strategies to prevent these injuries in older people.