Markers of renal function at admission and mortality in hip fracture patients-a single center prospective observational study

Plasma cystatin C and shrunken pore syndrome (SPS) are associated with increased mortality in older adults. The objective was to assess the association between these markers of kidney function at admission and mortality in hip fracture patients. Hip fracture patients presenting at Lund University Hospital were eligible for inclusion. Cox regression was used to assess association between plasma cystatin C, creatinine, cystatin C- or creatinine-based estimations of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR(CYS) and eGFR(CREA)), or SPS (defined as eGFR(CYS)/eGFR(CREA) < 0.7) and mortality during one year follow up. Improvement in discrimination relative to the Nottingham Hip fracture score was assessed by Receiver Operational Characteristics (ROC) analysis and calculation of Net Reclassification Index (NRI). 996 patients were included in the study. Cystatin C, creatinine, eGFR(CYS) and eGFR(CREA) were associated with one-year mortality in both unadjusted and adjusted analyses. The association with mortality was stronger for cystatin C and for eGFR(CYS) than for creatinine and eGFR(CREA). Patients with SPS had doubled mortality compared with patients without SPS (43.7 and 20.2%, respectively, p < .001). Hazard ratio for SPS in the adjusted analysis was 1.66 (95%CI; 1.16-2.39, p = .006). None of the markers improved discrimination compared to the Nottingham Hip Fracture Score using ROC analysis whereas eGFR(CYS) and eGFR(CREA) improved NRI. Our conclusion is that plasma concentrations of creatinine or cystatin C, eGFR(CYS) or eGFR(CREA) or SPS at admission in hip fracture patients are associated with mortality when known risk factors are accounted for. Identification of high risk patients may be improved by eGFR(CYS) or eGFR(CREA).

Automated summary

This study found that plasma concentrations of creatinine or cystatin C, eGFR(CYS) or eGFR(CREA) at admission in hip fracture patients are positively associated with mortality, with SPS showing a stronger correlation. Improved identification of high-risk patients can be achieved through eGFR(CYS) or eGFR(CREA).