Influence of Cognitive Impairment on Mobility Recovery of Patients With Hip Fracture

Objective The aims of this study were to study the mobility recovery in hip fracture patients and determine the influence of cognitive impairment on mobility within the first 3 months after surgery. Design This prospective cohort study was carried out in an acute public hospital in southern Spain and included 275 patients, 65 years or older, with a hip fracture. Mobility and Cognitive status were measured by Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment and Pfeiffers’ Scale (Short Portable Mental State Questionnaire), respectively. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the influence of cognitive impairment on mobility. Results The median Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment score changed from 4 (3–4) points at discharge to 17 (7–22) at 3 months. All degrees of cognitive impairment were negatively associated with gait and balance at 1 and 3 months after surgery (P < 0.01). Age, weight bearing, length of hospital stay, and postsurgical complications were also identified as independent predictors of mobility outcome at 3 months. Conclusions Cognitive impairment is a negative prognostic factor for the recovery of mobility in elderly patients with a hip fracture. New treatment strategies are needed for hip fracture patients with cognitive impairment.