Quality of life after hip fracture: a 12-month prospective study

Background: Hip fracture is an important and frequent health problem worldwide. To date, there are still limited studies focused on the analysis of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after a hip fracture in the Spanish population, especially with long-term follow-up. Objective: To determine the HRQOL at 12 months after hip fracture and to identify potential factors associated with HRQOL. Design: Prospective observational study. Setting: Traumatology units of two university hospitals in province Caceres (Spain). Participants: A total of 224 patients were admitted to the unit and required immediate surgery due to a hip fracture. Methods: HRQOL was measured with the EuroQol-5D questionnaire (EQ-5D) and the SF-12 Health Survey. Results: Scores from the visual analog scale EQ-5D decreased significantly (p < 0.001) from 72.8 at baseline to 48.3 after 1 month, to 48.2 after 6 months and to 46.1 after 12 months. The EQ-5D index score showed a similar significant reduction (p < 0.001) from 0.6 to 0.1, 0.3 and 0.3, respectively. Values of the physical component summary (PCS-12) significantly decreased (p < 0.001) from 38.6 at baseline to 31.0, 33.1 and 33.5. The mental component summary (MCS-12) decreased from 46.5 to 44.8 after 6 months (p = 0.022) and 44.3 after 12 months (p = 0.005). Factors potentially associated with HRQOL at 12 months after hip fracture were depression status after 12 months (B = 0-1.876; 95% CI [-2.409 to -1.343]; p < 0.001), functional ambulation classification after 12 months (B = -12.133; 95% CI [-17.970 to -6.297]; p < 0.001), EQ-5D VAS at baseline (B = 0.223; 95% CI [0.115-0.330]; p < 0.001), and age (B = -0.323; 95% CI [-0.594 to -0.053; p = 0.015). Conclusions: Patients experience a significant impairment in HRQOL H after a hip fracture, especially in self-care, pain/discomfort, usual activities, mobility and anxiety/depression. The decline in the HRQOL is effective the first month and lasts at least 12 months after the surgical intervention.