Association between co-morbid conditions and outcomes during hospitalization for pelvic fractures due to falls in the elderly

Background: There is a paucity of published studies that identify patients at high risk for poor outcomes after hospitalization for pelvic fractures. The objective of this study is to examine the prognostic influence of co-morbid conditions on outcomes such as in-hospital mortality, length of stay (LOS), and hospital charges in older patients hospitalized for pelvic fractures sustained due to falls. Methods: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample for years 2000 ¨C 2003 was used. All discharges aged °Ý 65 years with a primary diagnosis of pelvic fracture and an E-code indicating a fall injury were selected. Multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses were used to examine the association between co-morbid conditions and outcomes after adjusting for patient and hospital level confounders. Results: A weighted total of 108,022 patients were hospitalized for pelvic fractures sustained due to falls. Co-morbid conditions were present in 87% of patients. In-hospital mortality was 1.66%. The mean charges and LOS were $11,904 and 5 days respectively. Patients with co-morbid conditions such as congestive heart failure, pulmonary circulatory disease, chronic pulmonary disease, renal failure, liver disorders, metastatic cancers, solid tumors without metastasis, weight loss, and fluid/electrolyte disorders were associated with a significantly higher odds of in-hospital mortality when compared to those who did not have the respective conditions(p<0.05). Most co-morbid conditions were also associated with significantly higher charges and LOS. Conclusions: Patients with co-morbid conditions were associated with poor outcomes after hospitalization for pelvic fractures, making these patients good candidates for fall prevention programs.