BACKGROUND: Life events have been shown to be associated with health and illness. METHODS: We studied the number of life events experienced by hip fracture patients, nonfracture rheumatology patients, and community-dwelling asymptomatic residents in the year before interview. Fifty-four hip fracture patients, 63 ambulatory patients, and 115 community-dwelling residents participated in the study. All were older than 65 years. Descriptive statistics and nonparametric analyses were performed. RESULTS: The number of events reported in the previous 12 months was higher for hip fracture patients than for community participants (p = 0.02). At least one bereavement was reported by 32% of hip fracture patients, 27% of ambulatory patients, and 26% of community dwellers (p = 0.8). Ten percent of all respondents reported experiencing more than one bereavement. CONCLUSION: This has important consequences when considering the care of these patients and the mental distress they may be experiencing, especially in the aftermath of local disasters or trauma. Medications may not always be the best treatment, and better psychosocial assessments and delivery systems are needed.
BACKGROUND: Life events have been shown to be associated with health and illness. METHODS: We studied the number of life events experienced by hip fracturepatients, nonfracture rheumatologypatients, and community-dwelling asymptomatic residents in the year before interview. Fifty-four hip fracturepatients, 63 ambulatory patients, and 115 community-dwelling residents participated in the study. All were older than 65 years. Descriptive statistics and nonparametric analyses were performed. RESULTS: The number of events reported in the previous 12 months was higher for hip fracturepatients than for community participants (p = 0.02). At least one bereavement was reported by 32% of hip fracturepatients, 27% of ambulatory patients, and 26% of community dwellers (p = 0.8). Ten percent of all respondents reported experiencing more than one bereavement. CONCLUSION: This has important consequences when considering the care of these patients and the mental distress they may be experiencing, especially in the aftermath of local disasters or trauma. Medications may not always be the best treatment, and better psychosocial assessments and delivery systems are needed.
Authors: Kala M Mehta; Kristine Yaffe; Kenneth M Langa; Laura Sands; Mary A Whooley; Kenneth E Covinsky Journal: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci Date: 2003-05 Impact factor: 6.053