Published online Mar 18, 2019. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v10.i3.166
Peer-review started: October 10, 2018
First decision: October 25, 2018
Revised: January 1, 2019
Accepted: February 27, 2019
Article in press: February 27, 2019
Published online: March 18, 2019
Processing time: 149 Days and 19.5 Hours
Hip fracture audit is increasing globally with 8 countries producing national reports annually and several countries currently piloting hip fracture audit schemes. Hip fracture audit has been shown to result in improvements in care and survival of older people. Short-term mortality rates (in-patient and 30-d) are published by the majority of national registries and there is evidence that short term mortality rates are decreasing. The 1-year mortality rate post hip fracture is currently recognized as approximately 30%. Recent longer-term (1-year) mortality information is lacking in the literature.
Our research group believes there may also be a changing trend (decreasing) in 1-year mortality post hip fracture. Knowledge of a more current, up-to-date figure will lead to a more informed discussion with family of those affected and optimization of care of this fragile cohort at hospital and national levels.
To determine the current 1-year mortality rate post hip fracture.
Systematic literature review. The following keywords were used: “hip fracture”, “mortality”, “year”, “death”, “outcomes”, “registry”, “registries”, “database” and “databases” (PubMed and Google Scholar). The inclusion criteria were those studies published within the last 5 years (2013-2017), studies including a cohort >100 and those in the English language.
Data from 8 national registries and 36 countries (6 continents) were reviewed. Recently published 1-year mortality rates appear lower than traditional figures and suggest a downward trend.
The previously quoted 1-year mortality rate of approximately 30% appears to be outdated. A figure of 22% is a more accurate, up-to-date figure for 1-year mortality rate post hip fracture.
This research provides a more current, up-to-date figure for 1-year mortality rate post hip fracture.