What are the Risks of Death in Elderly Patients after a Proximal Femur Fracture at Aristide le Dantec Hospital?

Introduction: Proximal femur fractures are traumatic injuries involving the neck and trochanteric region of the femur. The aim was to identify risk factors for death following proximal femur fractures in elderly patients. Patients and methods: This was a prospective, observational, longitudinal study conducted over an 18-month period in the Orthopedics-Traumatology Department of Aristide Le Dantec Hospital in Dakar. We evaluated a total of 93 patients aged at least 60 years with a proximal femur fracture whose date of onset was less than 3 weeks. The identification of risk factors for death took into account socio-demographic, clinical and therapeutic parameters. Results: The number of patients who died was 19 (20.43%). There was no significant difference in mortality according to age, gender or residence. There was no association between admission time and mortality. The association between the number of comorbidities and mortality was significant. The association between mortality and ASA score and type of treatment was highly significant. Operating time had no influence on mortality. Type of anesthesia, on the other hand, did influence mortality. Conclusion: Mortality due to proximal femur fractures in the elderly remains high. In our practice, this mortality was related to the presence of comorbidity, impaired cognitive function, ASA score, type of treatment and type of anesthesia.