Quality of life in postoperative Japanese hip fracture patients: a hospital-based prospective study

SUMMARY: This study aimed to study quality of life (QOL) in postoperative Japanese hip fracture patients. Although QOL in Japanese patients recovered to pre-fracture levels 1 year following hospitalization, the recovery varied and was associated with physical factors and living arrangements. INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate quality-of-life (QOL) changes in postoperative Japanese hip fracture patients. METHODS: Subjects were 113 hip fracture patients recruited and followed for 1 year following hospitalization. QOL was assessed using the Euro-QOL, which consists of the health status part (EQ-5D) and the visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS). Factors associated with change in QOL (calculated by subtracting pre-fracture score from the score at 1 year following hospitalization) were determined by multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Of 81 patients who did not exhibit severe cognitive decline, 50 completed the follow-up surveys and were included for analysis. The mean difference from baseline was 0.035 (standard deviation = 0.254) for EQ-5D, and 17.0 (22.0) for EQ-VAS. Age, fracture type and residence status were significantly associated with a change in EQ-5D score. Cognitive function, activities of daily living and household help were significantly associated with a change in EQ-VAS score. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to previous studies from western countries, we found that QOL in Japanese patients recovered to pre-facture levels 1 year following hospitalization. This change varied between patients, and was associated with both physical factors and living arrangements.