The effects of persistent depressive symptoms on hip fracture recovery
Article Abstract:
Hip fractures occur frequently in the elderly and represent a significant public health problem. Surgery can effectively repair these fracture, but many patients do not return to prefracture levels of function. Many of the factors affecting an elder's return to function, such as age, residence, prefracture functional ability, and mental status, are not amenable to correction. Previous studies have found that a patient's level of depression immediately following surgery is related to the extent of recovery. An extensive 12-month study of 196 women, 60 years of age and older, was designed to explore the association between depression and postoperative recovery after hip fracture. The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) scale was used as a reference during postoperative interviews to evaluate depressive symptoms. The results revealed that age, prefracture physical function, and mental status were predictors of recovery. Two patterns of depression were identified. In one group of patients, depression was short-lived and occurred during the process of adjusting to sudden disability. This group had a slower short-term recovery, but by the sixth postoperative month, 40 percent achieved the same level of recovery as those without depressive symptoms. The second group had been depressed prior to sustaining hip fracture, and remained depressed throughout the year following surgical repair. Members of this group had persistently elevated CES-D scores and experienced a poorer long-term recovery. Compared to these patients, women with few depressive symptoms were three times more likely to walk independently, and nine times more likely to return to prefracture levels of physical function. To maximize a patient's recovery, the authors recommend routine assessment of the emotional state of hip fracture patients and treatment for depression or depressed mood. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journals of Gerontology
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0022-1422
Year: 1990
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Kinematics of recovery from a stumble
Article Abstract:
The kinematics or biomechanical recovery from an anteriorly directed stumble was studied in seven healthy young males. The maximum trunk flexion angle increased from 4.3 degrees to 18.3 degrees due to the pertubation and the increase was also associated the prepertubation walking velocity. Maximum hip and knee flexion angles likewise increased. Thus, recovery from a stumble is dependent on the lower extremity muscular power and the ability to restore trunk flexion control.
Publication Name: Journals of Gerontology
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0022-1422
Year: 1993
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Late-life anemia is associated with increased risk of recurrent falls
Article Abstract:
A cohort study done in Netherlands, and examining the relationship between anemia and higher recurrent falls, is presented.
Publication Name: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0002-8614
Year: 2005
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