Abstract
Background: The mortality rate of elderly patients who sustain a hip fracture is high compared to the general population. Identifying risk factors can help predict patients at risk of hip fracture to reduce the mortality rate. No studies have shown the mortality rate of patients with hip fractures in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with the mortality of patients with hip fractures admitted to the King Abdulaziz Hospital and compare the results with other studies. Methods: The mortality rate (within 1 yr or less) in 177 patients over the age of 60 yr who were admitted to the university hospital between July, 2007, and September, 2012, with hip fractures was retrospectively studied. The patients were assessed with regard to gender, age, type of hip fracture, and type of surgical intervention. Results: The overall mortality rate 1 yr after hip fracture was 12.43%, and the mean age was 77.77 yr old. The risk factors most associated with mortality were as follows: advanced age (71 to 80 and 81 to 90 yr old), male, peritrochanteric (extracapsular) fracture, and operative fixation with dynamic hip screw. Conclusions: The mortality rate of patients with hip fractures within 1 yr has a high-risk potential, especially for male patients over 71 yr of age with peritrochanteric (extracapsular) fractures. Surgical treatment with dynamic hip screw also was shown to be a risk factor between the different treatment options.