Abstract
The aim of the study was to measure the Quality of Life of young patients sustained fracture neck of femur.
This is a retrospective study of 50 patients who suffered different types of hip fractures. 67 patients underwent surgeries for hip fractures between 1998-2002 were sent the ‘EUROQOL EQ-5D’ questionnaire, out of which 50 replied back. Different parameters of EQ-5D including mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain / discomfort, anxiety / depression and the overall health status were graded by these patients. The overall scores were calculated. We compared those values with calculated EQ-5D values of control groups of the same age from the general population of the UK. Information about The type of fractures, the type of operation, complications, and the mechanism of injury were recorded and their effect on the quality of life was correlated.
Out of 50 patients, there were 29 male and 21 female, with a mean age of 48.52 yrs (16 to 60 yrs). There were 32 patients with intra-capsular neck of femur fractures, (16 undisplaced & 16 displaced) 17 intertrochanteric and one with a subtrochanteric extension. 16 patients underwent Internal fixation (AO Screws), 15 had a hemiarthroplasty, 18 had Dynamic hip screws and 1 had THR. The mean hospital stay was 7.14 days (3 to 28 days). 70% of the patients reported some problems with mobility, 44% had problems in self-care, 58% had a restriction of their usual activities, and 70% had pain & discomfort at an average of 4 years of follow up. When compared with same age groups from the general population there was statistically significant difference in the EQ-5D index and EQ-5D state with p value of [p=< . 05] in the patient aged between 30 and 60 and no statistical differences between the EQ-5D index or EQ-5D state in the age groups between 20 and 39. We also found an association between poor life quality and development of complications.
Complications included one dislocated hemiarhtro-plasty, one patient had AO screws removed.
Conclusions We concluded that fracture neck of femur in young patient lead to significant deterioration in patient quality of life when compared with the same age groups from he general population. More research is required to improve the current treatment methods.
Correspondence should be addressed to Mr Carlos Wigderowitz, Senior Lecturer, University Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY.
