Recovery of Walking Ability and Return to Community Living within 60 Days of Hip Fracture Does Not Differ Between Male and Female Survivors

ObjectivesTo compare risk-adjusted differences between men and women 30 and 60days after hip fracture surgery in not walking, ability to return home in a community-dwelling subset, not walking in a nursing home resident subset, and mortality within 60days. DesignCohort study. SettingData were from a randomized clinical trial that compared two blood transfusion protocols after hip fracture. ParticipantsIndividuals with hip fracture (N=2,016; 489 (24%) male). MeasurementsWalking, dwelling, and mortality were determined in telephone follow-up 30 and 60days after randomization, which occurred within 3days of surgery. Sex differences for each outcome were compared using univariate and multivariate regression adjusting for potential confounders. ResultsMen were younger (P<.001) and more likely to have comorbidity (P=.003) than women at the time of hip fracture and to die within 60days, even after risk adjustment (odds ratio (OR)=1.76, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.15-2.69). After risk adjustment, male survivors were as likely as female survivors not to walk (OR=1.03, 95% CI=0.78-1.34) and no less likely to return home (OR=0.90, 95% CI=0.69-1.17) 60days after hip fracture. No differences were noted between male and female nursing home residents in not walking within 60days (OR=0.95, 95% CI=0.32-2.86). ConclusionAlthough men experience higher mortality, male survivors can expect recovery of walking ability similar to that of female survivors and are as likely to return to community living.