Predictive factors of concern about falling after hospital discharge among older adults with fragility hip fractures: a prospective cohort study.

Abstract

Purpose: Concern about falling [CaF] is common among older adults, particularly after fragility hip fracture. This condition is associated with adverse health outcomes and a reduced quality of life. The aim of this study is to explore predictors of CaF among older patients with fragility hip fractures 2 weeks after hospital discharge.

Methods: A prospective observational cohort study was conducted at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Thailand. Participants were patients aged 60 years and above who had fragility hip fractures and were admitted to the hospital from March 2023 to March 2024. CaF was assessed using the short Falls Efficacy Scale-International 2 weeks after hospital discharge. Predictors examined pre-fall characteristics, fall-related data, surgery-related data, and postoperative data. In the full model approach, the multivariable Gaussian regression was employed to identify predictive factors.

Results: Of the 165 patients included in the study (mean age 78.76 ± 8.72 years), 79.39% were female. In the full model approach, pre-fracture activities of daily living (ADL) < 20 (adjusted mean difference [aMD] 3.44, 95% CI 1.04-5.85, p = 0.005) and shorter in-hospital duration of walking training (aMD - 0.66, 95% CI - 1.10 to - 0.22, p = 0.004) were identified as predictors of CaF at 2 weeks after hospital discharge.

Conclusions: The findings of this study emphasize the importance of assessing pre-fracture functional status and the shorter duration of in-hospital walking training as key predictors of CaF in older adults with fragility hip fractures. Enhancing functional capacity and extending the duration of walking training during hospitalization are crucial steps in reducing CaF in this population.