Correlation Between Walking Ability and Monthly Care Costs in Elderly Patients After Surgical Treatments for Hip Fractures

Abstract

ObjectiveTo validate the relationship between residual walking ability and monthly care cost as well as long-term care insurance (LTCI) certification level in elderly patients after surgical treatment for hip fractures in Japan.MethodsElderly patients aged >75 years who underwent surgical treatment for hip fractures in our hospital were included. The preand post-surgical (6-month) walking ability and LTCI certification and the presence or absence of dementia was determined from medical records and questionnaires. Walking ability was classified into 6 levels used in our daily medical practice. Based on these data, we correlated the relationship between walking ability and the LTCI certification level. Further, based on the official statistics pertaining to the average monthly costs per person at each LTCI certification level, we evaluated the relationship between walking ability and monthly care cost.ResultsA total of 105 cases (mean age, 80.2 years; 16 men; 39 patients with dementia) were included. The correlation between walking ability and average monthly cost per person as well as LTCI certification level at 6 months postoperatively (r=0.58) was demonstrated. The correlation was found in both groups with and without dementia.ConclusionThe ability to walk reduced the cost of care in elderly patients who experienced hip fracture, regardless of the presence of dementia.

Prognostic factors for 1-year functional outcome, quality of life, care demands, and mortality after surgery in Taiwanese geriatric patients with a hip fracture: a prospective cohort study

“…30 Furthermore, monthly care costs were correlated with walking ability in elderly patients after surgical treatments for hip fractures. 31 In Taiwan, Lin and Lu 32 reported that the families of geriatric patients with hip fracture experienced a high care burden within 1 month of hip surgery, and up to 77.6% of the families needed help with care tasks. 32 However, clinical reports on changes in care demands in the long term are lacking, and long-term functional loss may be inevitable among geriatric patients with hip fracture.…”

Association of preoperative nutritional status evaluated by the controlling nutritional status score with walking independence at 180 days postoperatively: a prospective cohort study in Chinese older patients with hip fracture

“…As reported, nearly 50% lose their walking independence, and those with a rapid decline in gait speed would suffer from an increased risk of disability by 77% and mortality by 90% 7 – 9 . Additionally, losing walking independence (LWI) led to increased care costs and a greater burden on the long-term care insurance system 10 . More efforts are urgently needed to improve the walking outcomes of older patients with hip fracture.…”

Combined nutritional status and activities of daily living disability is associated with one-year mortality after hip fracture surgery for geriatric patients: a retrospective cohort study

“…Meanwhile, the improvement of daily living activities is crucial for the outcomes of hip fractures, as individuals with decreased functional Status have an increased risk of disability and mortality [ 14 – 16 ].In addition, loss of mobility can lead to increased nursing costs and greater burden on the long-term care insurance system [ 17 ].…”