The impact of hip fracture (HF) on the functional status (FS) of older persons in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Results of a prospective cohort study

There is no prospective study investigating the impact of hip fracture (HF) on functional status (FS) in Brazil. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of a HF on the FS of older persons 1 year after the fracture and the factors associated with decline in FS 1 year after the fracture. Two hundred and forty-six patients who were admitted to one of four hospitals after HF participated. The sample for this study consisted of 160 patients who were still alive and had information on functional limitations after 1 year. The Brazil Old Age Schedule (BOAS) was used to assess FS before and 1 year after HF. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors of decline 1 year after fracture. Of the patients, 46.3% did not achieve their prior FS. Older age, being underweight, total length of stay and the use of psychotics/sedatives and anxiolitics were associated in multivariate analyses with decline in FS. Working before the fracture was protective of decline in FS. We conclude that HF severely compromised the FS of older persons in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.