Table 1.
Characteristics of the study sample
| Characteristic | Died (n = 86) | Alive (n = 160) |
|---|---|---|
| Mean age (years) | 83.22‡ | 77.26 |
| Gender (number of women) | 57 (66.3%) | 122 (76.3%) |
| BOAS disability before fracture | ||
| No limitations | 36 (41.9%) | 115 (71.9%) |
| 1–2 limitations | 19 (22.1%) | 27 (16.9%) |
| 3–4 limitations | 17 (19.8%) | 15 (9.4%) |
| ≥ 5 limitations | 14 (16.3%)* | 17 (6.9%) |
| Marital status | ||
| Married | 22 (25.6%) | 37 (23.1%) |
| Widowed | 47 (54.7%) | 86 (53.8%) |
| Divorced | 1 (1.2%) | 3 (1.9%) |
| Single | 16 (18.6%) | 34 (21.3%) |
| Level of education | ||
| Illiterate–4 years | 45 (53.6%) | 90 (56.6%) |
| 5–8 years | 31 (36.9%) | 52 (32.7%) |
| 9+ years | 8 (9.5%) | 17 (10.7%) |
| Living alone | 10 (11.6%) | 23 (14.4%) |
| Site of fall | ||
| Outside the home | 22 (26.8%) | 70 (44.3%) |
| In the bedroom | 23 (28.0%) | 38 (24.1%) |
| In the bathroom | 11 (13.4%) | 15 (9.5%) |
| In other room | 26 (31.7%) | 35 (22.2%) |
| Ethnicity | ||
| White | 65 (75.6%) | 119 (74.4%) |
| Not black/not white | 19 (22.1%) | 28 (17.5%) |
| Black | 2 (2.3%) | 13 (8.1%) |
| Comorbid diseases at admission | ||
| Diabetes mellitus | 17 (19.8%) | 25 (15.6%) |
| Hypertension | 38 (44.2%) | 58 (36.3%) |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | 11 (12.8%) | 18 (11.3%) |
| Stroke | 12 (14.0%)† | 8 (5.0%) |
| Cardiovascular disease | 14 (16.3%) | 18 (11.3%) |
| Depression | 4 (4.7%) | 6 (3.8%) |
| Cataracts | 15 (17.4%) | 35 (21.9%) |
| Glaucoma | 2 (2.3%) | 7 (4.4%) |
| Hearing impairment | 5 (5.8%) | 10 (6.3%) |
| Self-reported dizziness | 24 (27.9%)* | 26 (16.3%) |
| Urinary incontinence | 10 (11.6%) | 13 (8.1%) |
| Medication use before surgery | ||
| Oral glucose-lowering agents and insulin | 5 (5.8%) | 15 (9.4%) |
| Sedatives, antipsychotics, and antianxiolytics | 17 (19.8%) | 32 (20%) |
| Antihypertensives | 36 (41.9%) | 54 (33.8%) |
| Antidepressants | 3 (3.5%) | 17 (10.7%) |
| AntiParkinson drugs | 5 (5.8%) | 2 (1.3%) |
| Antiinflammatory drugs | 3 (3.5%) | 1 (0.6%) |
| Antiarrhythmic medication | 7 (8.1%) | 11 (6.9%) |
| Inotropics | 6 (7.0%) | 5 (3.1%) |
| Anticoagulants | 12 (14.0%) | 16 (10.0%) |
| Bronchodilators | 1 (1.2%) | 4 (2.5%) |
| Hormones | 2 (2.3%) | 4 (2.5%) |
| Weight | ||
| Normal (BMI = 22–27) | 40 (48.8%) | 73 (45.9%) |
| Underweight (BMI < 22.0) | 34 (39.5%) | 73 (45.6%) |
| Overweight/obese (BMI > 27) | 15 (17.4%) | 31 (19.4%) |
| Femur fracture vs intertrochanteric | 29 (33.7%) | 46 (28.8%) |
| Traction used (yes/no) | 29 (33.7%) | 72 (45%) |
| General anesthesia (vs epidural and spinal anesthesia) | 4 (4.7%) | 15 (9.4%) |
| Arthroplasty (vs osteosynthesis) | 21 (24.4%) | 34 (21.3%) |
| ASA scores 3 and 4 (vs 1 and 2) | 44 (51.2%)‡ | 40 (25.0%) |
| Delirium | 32 (37.2%)* | 37 (23.1%) |
| Complications during/after surgery | 18 (20.9%) | 20 (12.5%) |
| Use of physical therapy after surgery | 16 (18.6%) | 84 (52.5%)‡ |
| Medication use after surgery | ||
| Antihypertensives | 17 (19.8%) | 38 (23.8%) |
| Anticoagulants | 32 (37.2%) | 55 (34.4%) |
| Antibiotics | 47 (54.7%)† | 115 (71.9%) |
| Analgesics | 18 (20.9%) | 49 (30.6%) |
| Antiinflammatory drugs | 22 (31.0%) | 56 (37.8%) |
| Time between fracture and admission | ||
| 0 days | 50 (58.1%) | 90 (56.3%) |
| 1–2 days | 15 (17.4%) | 39 (24.4%) |
| ≥ 3 days | 21 (24.4%) | 31 (19.4%) |
| Total length of stay | ||
| < 7 days | 12 (14.0%) | 26 (16.35) |
| 8–30 days | 57 (66.3%) | 108 (67.5%) |
| 30+ days | 17 (19.8%) | 26 (16.3%) |
* p < 0.05; †p < 0.01; ‡p < 0.001; BOAS = Brazil Old Age Schedule; BMI = body mass index; ASA = American Society of Anesthesiologists.