Effect of pneumonia on clinical course and prognosis after hip fracture

The records of 38 elderly patients with hip fracture admitted to our hospital between January and December 2002 were retrospectively reviewed to determine the incidence and outcomes of medical complications. The mean age was 84.5 +/- 6.83 years old, 32 women and 6 men. 27 patients (71%) suffered from dementia. Of the 38 patients, 33 (86.8%) had one and more underlying diseases: hypertension 29, cerebrovascular episode 7, congestive heart failure 5, diabetes mellitus 4, gastric ulcer or chronic gastritis 3, ischemic heart disease 4, depression 2. Three patients had a past history of hip fracture. Fourteen patients (37%) developed medical complications after hip fracture, most frequently pneumonia (64%). Other complications were dizziness, nausea, congestive heart failure, choledocholithiasis, and GI tract bleeding. Eight patients who suffered pneumonia cancelled elective surgery. Severity of pneumonia was mild in 2, moderate in 5, and severe in 2. Both cases with severe pneumonia died in hospital. Patients with pneumonia (pneumonia group) were significantly older and had more severe dementia than patients without pneumonia (non-pneumonia group). Although there were no significant differences in physical ability between the two groups before admission, physical ability on discharge was lower in the pneumonia group. The pneumonia group had a significantly longer mean hospital stay than the non-pneumonia group. Our results suggest that the prevention of pneumonia is necessary to improve the outcome of hip fracture.