Impact of admissions for bone fractures on the dependency ratio of adults over 65 years of age in Southern Spain

Abstract

Hospital admission for acute illness, as in the case of bone fractures, means for some elderly people a loss of autonomy, not always associated with the illness causing hospitalization. The factors and/or modulators contributing to this situation have not been sufficiently studied. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of hospitalized elderly patients diagnosed with bone fractures, after surgery is carried out, and to establish the associated variables to their cognitive and functional dependency at discharge. The outcomes show that functional deterioration significantly correlates (positively) to anxiety self-control at discharge and knowledge about the therapy at discharge and inversely (negatively), to the patient's age, polypharmacy, and length of inpatient stay until surgery. From our outcomes we conclude the need to design and apply actions leading toward a reduction of the pre-surgery inpatient stay, immediate mobilization programs as well as training and information about therapeutic procedures.