We report a prospective study of the influence of various factors on the six-month mortality of 531 patients with subcapital hip fractures. We performed univariate and multivariate analyses on the 403 patients treated surgically. The most significant predictors of the six-month mortality were dementia, postoperative chest infection, malignant neoplasia, old age and deep-wound infection, in that order. A simple test of mental ability was the most significant prognostic indicator and this test should be included in future studies of the management of hip fractures in the elderly.

A prospective study of factors which might help to predict mortality in patients with intracapsular fractures of the femoral neck has been undertaken. A multivariate analysis technique was used to analyse the collected data, and it was found that mental ability was the most significant variable; this factor had the greatest effect on outcome.