Characteristics and Outcomes of Nonoperatively Managed Patients with Hip Fracture Using the Dutch Hip Fracture Audit

OBJECTIVES:To identify and compare characteristics of patients with hip fracture treated nonoperatively versus those treated operatively.METHODS:Design:Retrospective cohort study.Setting:Hip fracture population-based study.Patient Selection Criteria:All adult patients with hip fractures (OTA/AO 31A and 31B) were included. Patients with pathological or periprosthetic hip fractures were excluded.Outcome Measures and Comparisons:Patients were categorized according to the type of management (operative vs. nonoperative) and type of fracture (nondisplaced vs. other). Patient and fracture characteristics associated with nonoperative management (NOM) were analyzed.RESULTS:A total of 94,930 patients with hip fracture were included. Of these, 3.2% were treated nonoperatively. Patients receiving NOM were older [86 years (interquartile range, 79-91 years) vs. 81 years (interquartile range, 72-87 years); P < 0.001], more frequently institutionalized (42.4% vs. 17.6%), and were more dependent in activities of daily living (22.2% vs. 55.0%). Various clinical characteristics, including dementia [odds ratio (OR) 1.31 (95% confidence interval, CI, 1.18-1.45) P < 0.001], no functional mobility [OR 4.39 (95% CI, 3.14-3.68) P < 0.001], and activities of daily living (ADL) measured as KATZ-6-ADL [OR 1.17 (95% CI, 1.14-1.20) P < 0.001] were independently associated with NOM. Seven-day mortality was 37.6%, and 30-day mortality was 57.1% in patients treated nonoperatively.CONCLUSIONS:The first step in understanding patients who potentially benefit from NOM is evaluating the current standard of care. This study provides insight into the current hip fracture population treated nonoperatively. These patients are older, have higher percentage of dementia, more dependent, and show higher short-term mortality rates.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.