Multimorbidity and Polytherapy in Patients with Femoral Neck Fracture: A Retrospective Observational Study

Abstract

Fractures of the femoral neck are one of the most common reasons for admission to an orthopedic institute. These patients also show multimorbidity (≥2 chronic conditions) and polytherapy (≥5 drugs). Multimorbidity and polytherapy are associated with a high risk of hospitalization and a reduction in quality of life. The present retrospective observational study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of multimorbidity and polytherapy in patients aged ≥65 years and surgically treated for femoral neck fractures at an orthopedic institute over 3 years. Multimorbidity was evaluated with Elixhauser’s comorbidity measure and polytherapy was obtained from the patient’s medical record. This study identified 917 patients (84 ± 7.6 years); most of them were females. Most patients presented ≥2 chronic conditions, the most frequent of which was uncomplicated hypertension, and most patients used ≥5 drugs, of which antithrombotic ones were the most frequently taken. No significant gender and age differences were found between the presence or not of multimorbidity or polytherapy. Multimorbidity and polytherapy were statistically associated with an increased and decreased risk of 1-year mortality, respectively. This retrospective study has evaluated the variables required for the establishment of a minimum core of descriptors of the prevalence of polytherapy and multimorbidity in the orthopedic field.