Dependence for basic and instrumental activities of daily living after hip fractures

• Hip fractures are associated with a high comorbidity measured by Charlson Score.
• After hip fracture the loss of independence is greater in ambulation activities.
• The activities less affected were grooming, feeding and the toilet training.
• Recovery depends on the pre-fracture health and functional ability of the patient.

The objective of the study is to determine basic activities of daily living (Barthel Index) and instrumental activities of daily living (Lawton-Brody Index) before and after hip fracture. Follow-up study of patients (n = 100) with hip fracture, operated at Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de A Coruña (Spain). Period January/2009–December/2011. Demographic characteristic of the patients, Charlson Index, Glomerular filtration rate, Barthel index, Lawton index, type of proximal femur fracture and surgical treatment delay were recorded. Multivariate regression was performed. Informed patient consent and ethical review approval were obtained. Before fracture were independent for activities of daily living (ADL) a 38.0%, at 90 days were 15.4%. The Barthel index score decreased from 75.2 ± 28.2 to 56.5 ± 31.8) (p < 0.0001). If we consider the age, gender, comorbidity (Charlson index), renal function, fracture type and surgical delay objectify the only independent variable to predict dependency effect is age. If we also consider the Barthel score objectify the variable that significantly modifies that score at 90 days is the baseline value of the index. The prevalence of independence for instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) at the baseline moment is 11% and at 90 days is decreased to 2.2%. There is a decrease in the independence effect in all activities. The variable predictor of independence for all activities after taking into consideration age, sex, comorbidity, fracture type, surgical delay and renal function is the baseline score of the Barthel and Lawton index.