Protein depletion in Thai patients with hip fractures.

OBJECTIVE Study the prevalence of protein depletion and determine the effect of protein depletion on postoperative complications. MATERIAL AND METHOD A retrospective study was performed in 255 Thai elderly patients who had been admitted to Siriraj Hospital because of a fracture of the hip. The level of albumin was the parameter used to determine the degree of protein depletion. The effects of protein depletion that were examined were the length of hospital stay and the development of complications. RESULTS Ninety-seven patients (44.5%) in the study group were in a protein-depleted state during the period of hospitalization. The patients who were protein-depleted had a higher prevalence of complications and tended to stay in the hospital longer, compared with the nonprotein-depleted patients. CONCLUSION Thai elderly patients who sustain the trauma of a fracture of the hip should be managed appropriately for the intake of nutrients during the hospitalized period to improve their health status.