Hand grip strength and early mortality after hip fracture.

Abstract

We conducted a cohort and longitudinal study at Hip and Pelvic Surgery Department of a tertiary hospital, in Monterrey, Mexico. The study included patients aged over of 69, admitted for hip fracture surgery from February 1st 2013 to July 31st 2014. HGS measurement was performed by a trained physician at arrival to emergency department prior to surgery; clinimetric variables were asked, and a complete medical history was included. A total of 670 patients were included in the study and grouped in different tertiles according to hand grip strength. During follow-up, there were 112 deaths (17.4%), 61 (27.5%) in tertile 1, 37 (17.1%) in tertile 2, and 14 (6.8%) in tertile 3, p < 0.001. The association remained significant after adjusting for confounding variables. Less than 5% of patients discharged from hospital were identified with osteoporosis. Lower hand grip strength in patients with a hip fracture is associated with high mortality after hip fracture.