• Sarah Marrinan, Mark S Pearce, Xue Yan Jiang, Sheena Waters, and Yousif Shanshal.
• Institute of Health & Society, Newcastle University, Sir James Spence Institute Royal Victoria Infirmary,Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP, UK.
• Age Ageing. 2015 Mar 1; 44 (2): 258-61.

ObjectiveTo study the implications of osteoporotic pelvic fractures in older patients in terms of mortality, length of hospital stay and independent living.MethodsThe study included 110 consecutive patients, aged over 60 years, with osteoporotic pelvic fractures admitted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead, between July 2009 and March 2011. Demographic and routine clinical data were collected prospectively until date of discharge, and vital status data were collected up to 3 months post-fracture. These data were analysed to assess associations with outcomes such as length of hospital stay, mortality and loss of independence (according to changes in residential housing status).ResultsFourteen patients died either in hospital, or within 3 months of fracture. Length of hospital stay was associated with age (b=0.77 days per year, 95% CI 0.001, 1.54, P=0.05) and was significantly longer in those with acute medical problems on admission (b=21.2 days, 95% CI 8.72, 33.73, P=0.001). The odds of changing from independent to institutionalised accommodation were significantly associated with age (OR 1.08 per year, 95% CI 1.01, 1.04, P=0.007) and length of hospital stay (OR 1.12 per day, 95% CI 1.01, 1.04, P=0.007).ConclusionIn-hospital mortality rates in this patient group are similar to those seen for hip fractures, yet pelvic fractures in older people receive relatively little in the way of attention or funding. Guidelines to improve the management of such fractures in older people are important to improve care while in hospital, reduce time spent in hospital and reduce the impact on independent living.© The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Geriatrics Society. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

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