Introduction: Fractures of the proximal third of the femur are a major health problem in Western countries, where there has been a high increase in their incidence due to factors such as ageing of the population, which in itself does not explain the rise in this pathology.

Fractures of this type are one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity in the elderly, the main risk group.

In the context of the above, it is useful to know the different variables that influence aetiopathogenesis, prevention and treatment while in hospital and after release.

Materials and methods: We carried out a retrospective study of 250 fractures in patients admitted to this hospital between 2001 and 2003, with a one-year follow-up, and designed a data-collection form. We divided the patients into two groups, those who had died and those alive after one year, and compared the different variables using SPSS statistical software.

Results: The one-year mortality rate in hip-fracture patients in our hospital is 25%, within the limits found in the literature. Age, ASA surgical risk and dementia are factors that have a significant influence on one-year mortality in hip-fracture patients.

Conclusions: The main factors that significantly influence one-year mortality are those inherent to the patient, such as age, ASA surgical risk and dementia.