Predictors of long-term mortality after intertrochanteric fractures surgery: a 3-year retrospective study

INTRODUCTION: Intertrochanteric fractures are associated with high mortality rates; however, long-term data on survival and predictors remain scarce. Therefore, this study investigated risk factors associated with 3-year mortality in elderly patients with intertrochanteric fractures. METHODS: In a retrospective study, 156 elderly patients with intertrochanteric fractures who underwent surgery between January 2017 to January 2018 at our center were included. Association-affecting variables, such as gender, age, time from injury to surgery, hemoglobin (Hb), total lymphocyte count (TLC), albumin, malnutrition, and co-morbidities, were recorded and analyzed. Afterward, logistic regression was used to analyze the significant variables and find independent predictors for 3-year mortality. RESULTS: A total of 156 patients were followed up for 3 years. The 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year postoperative cumulative mortality rates were 9.6% (15/156), 16.7% (26/156), and 24.4% (38/156), respectively. Simple analyses found that age, Hb, albumin, and malnutrition were associated with 3-year mortality (p < 0.05). Multivariable analysis confirmed that advanced age (p < 0.001) and low albumin (p = 0.014) were independent risk factors for 3-year mortality. CONCLUSION: Low serum albumin and advanced age were independent risk factors for long-term mortality in elderly patients with intertrochanteric fractures. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12891-022-05442-2.