Predictors of functional outcome following intracapsular hip fracture in elderly women. A one-year prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES: To explore potential predictors of functional outcome one year after the injury in elderly women who sustained a displaced intracapsular hip fracture and who were treated with internal fixation, hemiarthroplasty, or total hip arthroplasty. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Eighty-four women aged > or =50 years were enrolled on a consecutive basis in this one-year prospective cohort study reflecting standard day-to-day clinical practice. The main outcome measure was the rapid disability rating scale version-2 (RDRS-2) applied at hospital discharge and one year later. RESULTS: At hospital discharge, the total hip arthroplasty group was younger and had a better functional status than the internal fixation or hemiarthroplasty groups. One year later, the best function was still observed in the total arthroplasty group, but the differences were small and failed to achieve the level of statistical significance. During that one-year period, walking ability or mobility did not change significantly after total hip arthroplasty, but a significant proportion of the women developed cognitive impairment, including mental confusion, uncooperativeness, and depression. Overall, the most significant predictors of poor functional status one year after fracture were increasing age, living in an institution at time of injury, and poor functional status at discharge. CONCLUSIONS: In elderly women with a displaced intracapsular hip fracture, total hip arthroplasty is associated with a functional benefit within the first months after surgery. However, the extent to which this functional benefit is maintained over time, is less clear. These results support the need for randomised studies to quantify the extent to which, in elderly women, the early functional benefit of total hip arthroplasty is maintained in the long run or compromised by progressive cognitive impairment and other negative determinants of functional outcome.