Risk Factors for Hip Fractures in Elderly Patients

Aim: In this study, we aimed to determine the risk factors for hip fractures in elderly patients in order to contribute to efforts to reduce the incidence of hip fractures. Methods: We evaluated 54 patients aged 79.12 +/- 8.83 (range: 5595) years, who presented to our emergency department due to hip fractures (Group 1) and 52 hospitalized patients aged 69.04 +/- 7.66 (range: 60-83) years, without a hip fracture (Group 2). We compare the groups in terms of neuropathy symptom score (NSS), neurological impairment score (NIS), accompanying diseases, foot deformities, dermal and nail problems, body mass index (BMI), osteoporosis, and use of walking aid devices. Results: The mean BMI score was 24.81 +/- 3.67 and 27.67 +/- 4.86 in Group 1 and in Group 2, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (p=0.001). The mean NSS and NIS in Group 1 was 2.87 +/- 2.89 and 2.06 +/- 1.17, respectively, while the mean NSS was 1.83 +/- 2.84 and NIS was 0.6 +/- 0.82 in group 2. The two scores were higher in group 1 than in Group 2, however, the difference in NISs between the groups was statistically significant (p<0.001). In Group 1, the number of patients smoking or drinking alcohol was higher than in Group 2, but the difference was not significant (p=0.37, p=0.324). There were no significant relationship between foot deformities and hip fractures. The number of patients with osteoporosis and those using walking aid devices was significantly higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p=0.007, p<0.001). Conclusion: In this study including a limited number of patients, we determined that a low BMI score, osteoporosis, and use of walking aid device are the risk factors for hip fractures.