Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-7qhmt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-26T17:46:00.041Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Fear of falling more important than pain and depression for functional recovery after surgery for hip fracture in older people

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 July 2006

RICHARD C. OUDE VOSHAAR
Affiliation:
Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, The Netherlands University of Manchester, UK
SUBE BANERJEE
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK
MIKE HORAN
Affiliation:
University of Manchester, UK
ROBERT BALDWIN
Affiliation:
University of Manchester, UK
NEIL PENDLETON
Affiliation:
University of Manchester, UK
REBEKAH PROCTOR
Affiliation:
Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust, UK
NICHOLAS TARRIER
Affiliation:
University of Manchester, UK
YVONNE WOODWARD
Affiliation:
University of Manchester, UK
ALISTAIR BURNS
Affiliation:
University of Manchester, UK

Abstract

Background. Depression and cognitive functioning have a negative impact on functional recovery after hip fracture surgery in older people, and the same has been suggested for pain and fear of falling. These variables, however, have never been studied together, nor has the timing of psychiatric assessment been taken into account.

Method. Two parallel, randomized controlled trials were undertaken aiming to prevent and treat depression after hip fracture surgery in older people. Multiple logistic regression analyses corrected for age and pre-morbid level of functioning were performed to evaluate the effect of depressive symptoms (15-item Geriatric Depression Scale, GDS), pain (Wong–Baker pain scale), cognitive functioning (Mini-mental State Examination, MMSE) and fear of falling (Modified Falls Efficacy Scale, MFES) within 2 weeks after surgery and 6 weeks later on functional recovery at 6 months. Main outcome measures were performance-based measures (up-and-go test, gait test, functional reach) and the self-report Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) questionnaire to assess the impact of the hip fracture on activities of daily living (ADL).

Results. Two hundred and ninety-one patients participated and outcome measures for 187 (64%) patients were available at 6 months. All mental health variables interfered with functional recovery. However, in the final multivariate model, cognitive functioning and fear of falling assessed 6 weeks after surgery consistently predicted functional recovery, whereas pain and depressive symptoms were no longer significant.

Conclusion. Fear of falling and cognitive functioning may be more important than pain and depression to predict functional recovery after hip fracture surgery. Rehabilitation strategies should take this into account.

Type
Original Article
Copyright
© 2006 Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)