Nutritional state and functional capacity among elderly Swedish people with acute hip fracture

The objective of this study was to describe characteristics in a group of e lderly men and women with hip fracture, regarding presumed risk factors, su ch as nutritional state and functional capacity. A total of 142 men and wom en aged 75 years or more were consecutively included on admittance to the h ospital. Anthropometry and body composition were measured 4-6 days after th e fracture. Data on functional status, activities of daily living and livin g arrangements at the time of the fracture were collected. The women and me n had a body mass index (BMI) of 22.3 +/- 3.7 kg/m(2) and 21.7 +/- 2.1 kg/m (2), respectively. Of the whole group, 71% had a BMI < 24 kg/m(2) and 25% a BMI < 20.0 kg/m(2). Forty-five percent of the patients needed daily home h elp, and a majority of them were mentally impaired (p < 0.0001). Women with a trochanteric hip fracture were shorter, had lower body weight, lower lea n body mass and lower arm muscle circumference (AMC) than the cervical frac ture group (p < 0.05). Fewer women with a trochanteric fracture and fewer w omen with mental impairment took walks outside before the fracture, (p = 0. 023 and p = 0.002. respectively). Characteristics found in the group were l ow BMI, low muscle mass as indicated by low lean body mass and mental impai rment. It seems important to evaluate such factors when developing post-ope rative care plans aimed at avoiding further deterioration. Extra frail sub- groups of patients. such as people who are mentally impaired, women with tr ochanteric Fracture and women with high dependency concerning ADL functions were identified.