The significance of peak expiratory flow rate in assessing prognosis of elderly patients undergoing operations on the hip.

Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was measured using a Wright peak flow meter in 190 patients with fracture of the proximal part of the femur, and in 110 patients who underwent elective total hip replacement. PEFR was significantly lower in the fracture group than in the elective group when similar age ranges were compared. In the fracture group, PEFR of less than 100 was associated with a 69.6 per cent mortality rate, whereas no deaths occurred where the PEFR was greater than 300. It is suggested that the patients' PEFR is a good indicator of their prospects and it can be easily measured on admission.