The Association Between Sarcopenia and Postoperative Outcomes Among Older Adults With Hip Fracture: A Systematic Review

J Appl Gerontol. 2021 Dec;40(12):1903-1913. doi: 10.1177/07334648211006519. Epub 2021 Apr 17.

Abstract

Hip fracture is a serious clinical event with high morbidity and mortality. Sarcopenia is characterized by age-related loss of muscle mass and function, leading to several adverse health outcomes. In this systematic review, no limitation criteria were used for study selection and 327 studies were identified in the initial search. Of these, 11 studies comprising a total of 2,314 patients were selected. The overall proportion of older adults with hip fracture having sarcopenia was 44%, with a disparity of approximately 10% between men and women. Most studies have indicated that older adults with sarcopenia had poorer postoperative functional recovery than those without sarcopenia; the association between sarcopenia and high postoperative mortality or long hospital stay was heterogeneous. Well-organized studies with longer follow-up periods are warranted.

Keywords: hip fracture; older adults; recovery of function; sarcopenia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Female
  • Hip Fractures* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Recovery of Function
  • Sarcopenia* / epidemiology