and the Israel Cytokines Standardization Laboratory.Background. The study aim was to determine the kinetics of serum pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines and C-reactive protein (CRP) in hip-fracture patients over a month postfracture, and their relationship to postoperative (postop) complications and cognitive level.

Orthostatic hypotension is very common in the elderly, and diastolic OH is more common than systolic OH. The prevalence of OH is the lowest during the evening, and meals do not increase the prevalence of OH. The intraindividual consistency of OH during the day is poor. Thus, in elderly patients, more attention should be paid to diastolic OH and the diagnosis should be based on repeated measurements.

Background: Oral sodium phosphate is currently used for colon preparation before colonoscopy or barium enema. Sodium phosphate induces hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia, and hypokalemia. Elderly patients are at an increased risk for phosphate intoxication because of decreased glomerular filtration rate, medication use, and systemic and gastrointestinal diseases. We investigated these electrolyte disorders and their correlation with creatinine clearance, coexistent diseases, medications, and functional status. Methods: Thirty‐six hospitalized patients were included in the study. On day 1, patients were administered 2 doses of oral sodium phosphate. Venous blood samples for electrolyte determination were obtained at 7 am on days 1, 2 (the procedure day), and 3. Urine samples were obtained from 10 patients. Results: An increase in serum phosphorus level was correlated with a decreased creatinine clearance (R = ‐0.52; p = .001). Hypocalcemia and hypokalemia were present in 21 (58%) and 20 (56%) patients, respectively. Patients with a serum potassium concentration of 3.5 mEq/L or less on day 2 had a lower serum potassium concentration on day 1 vs those with a serum potassium concentration >3.5 mEq/L on day 2 (p = .03). Five (dependent patients) had a serum potassium concentration of 3 mEq/L or less, and 2 had severe diarrhea, necessitating treatment. There were more demented patients with hypokalemia compared with normokalemic patients (p < .05). Urinary fractional excretion of phosphorus tripled on day 2 (p = .01). Potassium and sodium fractional excretion remained unchanged. Conclusions: Sodium phosphate induces serious electrolyte abnormalities in the elderly. The frequency and severity of hypokalemia is due to intestinal potassium loss associated with inadequate renal potassium conservation and is apparently more prevalent in frail patients. Assessment of serum electrolytes, phosphorus, and calcium before sodium phosphate preparation is advised, and in selected patients, postprocedural assessment and correction may be required.

Pre-fracture motor and not cognitive level has been the most important predictive factor for motor gain after hip fracture. Cognitively impaired hip fracture patients can achieve and maintain the same motor functional gain as normal patients, if they were mobile pre-fracture.