Undernutrition Affetcs Step Count in Patients with Hip Fracture Admitted to a Convalescent Rehabilitation Ward

Abstract

【Objectives】The aim of this study was to examine the impact of undernutrition at admission on the step count at discharge in patients with hip fractures. 【Methods】The design of this study was a prospective observational study. A total of 148 patients with hip fractures who were admitted to 2 convalescent rehabilitation wards were included. We used the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF) to screen the nutritional status at admission. Patients with scores of 0-5 were categorized as the undernutrition group, while those with 6-14 were classified as the non-undernutrition group. The primary outcome was the step count taken at the time of discharge. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the effect of nutritional status at admission and MNA-SF configuration items on the number of steps at discharge.【Results】Mean age of patients was 83 years, and percentage of women was 79%. The result of multiple regression analysis, undernutrition was a predictor of the number of steps taken at discharge (β = -588.300, 95%CI -1137.159 - -39.440, p = 0.036). Among the configuration items of the MNA-SF, Mobility (β = 613.762, 95%CI 216.494 - 1011.030) and Body Mass Index (β = 227.103, 95%CI 21.820 - 432.386) were predictors of step count at discharge.【Conclusion】Undernutrition at admission in patients with hip fractures may decrease the number of steps taken at discharge.