Medical Complications Predict Cognitive Decline in Nondemented Hip Fracture Patients-Results of a Prospective Observational Study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to identify factors that are associated with cognitive decline in the long-term follow-up after hip fractures in previously nondemented patients.


METHODS
A consecutive series of 402 patients with hip fractures admitted to our university hospital were analyzed. After exclusion of all patients with preexisting dementia, 266 patients were included, of which 188 could be examined 6 months after surgery. Additional to several demographic data, cognitive ability was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Patients with 19 or less points on the MMSE were considered demented. Furthermore, geriatric scores were recorded, as well as perioperative medical complications. Mini-Mental State Examination was performed again 6 months after surgery.


RESULTS
Of 188 previously nondemented patients, 12 (6.4%) patients showed a cognitive decline during the 6 months of follow-up. Multivariate regression analysis showed that age ( P = .040) and medical complications ( P = .048) were the only significant independent influencing factors for cognitive decline.


CONCLUSIONS
In our patient population, the incidence of dementia exceeded the average age-appropriate cognitive decline. Significant independent influencing factors for cognitive decline were age and medical complications.
['Hack|Juliana|J|', 'Eschbach|Daphne|D|', 'Aigner|Rene|R|', 'Oberkircher|Ludwig|L|', 'Ruchholtz|Steffen|S|', 'Bliemel|Christopher|C|', 'Buecking|Benjamin|B|']
D000368:Aged D000369:Aged, 80 and over D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction D003704:Dementia D005260:Female D015577:Geriatric Assessment D006620:Hip Fractures D006760:Hospitalization D006801:Humans D015994:Incidence D008297:Male D015985:Precipitating Factors D011446:Prospective Studies
cognitive decline hip fracture dementia MMSE geriatrics