A study by an interprofessional team of researchers including Huey-Ming Tzeng, Brian Downer, Chih-Ying Li, Mukaila A Raji, Allen Haas, and Yong-Fang Kuo investigates the association between cognitive impairment and repeat fractures. Read the article online, Association Between Cognitive Impairment and Repeat Fractures in Medicare Beneficiaries Recently Hospitalized for Hip Fracture.
This study looked at older adults who had hip fractures and were sent home from a skilled nursing facility after getting rehabilitation. They wanted to see if there was a connection between their cognitive (thinking) abilities and the chances of them getting another fracture within 90 days of going home.
They checked the data of 29,558 older adults with hip fractures. The results showed that those who had even mild cognitive problems were more likely to have another fracture compared to those with good cognitive function. In other words, people with thinking difficulties had a higher risk of getting hurt again.
This study tells us that it's important to consider a person's cognitive health when they leave the hospital after a hip fracture. If someone has even mild cognitive problems, they might need extra care and support to prevent another fracture and the need for hospitalization.