Age and Surgical Management Determine Quality of Life after Trochanteric Fracture

Abstract

Purpose The aim of the study was to determine factors influencing functional ability and quality of life six months after trochanteric fracture treated surgically. Patients and method: A multicentre cohort included 459 patients (356 females and 103 males, mean age 80 years) in Eastern France. Sixty-two percent of the fractures were stable and 38% were unstable. Determinants of functional ability assessed by the Merle d'Aubigné and Harris scores, of quality of life by the Duke Health profile, and of return to home at 6 months after surgery were considered using logistic regression analyses. Result Older age was the most prominent factor predicting bad functional ability (p<.001) and quality of life (p<.05). The material for surgery predicted 6-month poor functional ability (p<.001), probably through the different strategies for care management involved. The quality of fracture reduction assessed on lateral radiographs, as well as post-operative complications were predictors of a better functional ability (p<.001) and less frequent return to home (p<.001). Conclusion Age and surgical management procedure are determinants of outcome at 6 month after trochanteric fracture.