Factors affecting hip fracture mortality.

This retrospective analysis of 300 patients with proximal femoral fractures was undertaken to determine what factors were significant and nonsignificant in determining patient mortality. Mortality rates were based on survival of the patient 1 year after surgery. Of 283 patients followed until death or for at least 1 year postoperatively, the mortality rate was 14.8% (42/283). The expected mortality rate for the normal population over 50 years of age is 3%. Factors considered significant in influencing patient mortality were age, number of pre-existing medical conditions, postoperative level of ambulation, and delay of surgery for more than 24 h in relatively healthy patients. The authors feel that on the basis of this study, healthy patients should undergo surgery within 24 h of admission and less healthy patients can be stabilized medically before undergoing surgery without adding increased risk from the delay.