Immune cell variations in patients with hip fracture

Hip fracture is an increasing pathology in the patients with increasing age. Immunological response differences may appear between different age groups. The purpose of this study was to investigate the immune response in patients with subcapital hip fracture and the relationship with age. Prospective study of 100 patients with displaced subcapital femoral fracture between 2000 and 2004, divided into three age groups: over 90 years (13), 80-90 (56) and under 80 years (27). The χ2-test, analysis of variance and Student's t-test were applied. Correlation coefficient and the Spearman test were used to study linear correlation. The T helper cells decreased with age, this inverse correlation was significant. There was a direct correlation between CD16% and age. IgA, IgG and IgM levels did not show any significant relationship with age in our study. Nevertheless, the IgE levels in peripheral blood showed a significant direct correlation with age. Basophils percentage presented an inverse correlation with age. Age is associated to some immune changes in patients suffering hip fracture.