Hip fractures

Summary

Two predictive scoring systems for mortality in hip fracture patients, the Nottingham hip fracture score (NHFS) and the Charlson comorbidity index, are examined in three studies. The NHFS was shown in one study to be a fair predictor of 30 day mortality after hip fracture surgery. Results with the Charlson comorbidity index demonstrated that it was a poor predictor of mortality in the 90 day period after hip fracture treatment in one prospective study, but the odds ratios of a mortal outcome were found to be significantly higher with higher comorbidity scores in a retrospective study. Further well designed studies would be desirable to develop or refine a valid scoring system useful for prediction of mortality in hip fracture patients.