OBJECTIVE: To study the evolution of the 60-year-old major patients with hip fracture, which will be determined to a few risk factors that influence treatment and the survival. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Period of study: January - December, 1998. Eight hundred and nine patients were attended by fracture of hip. One hundred and fifty-six were not operated on and we could study prospectively 111 patients. From the 653 operated on we obtained a group of 90 patients that we follow for 12 months or until they died. The information was colected by telephonic interview. RESULTS: The mortality in the group of non-operated on patients was maximum in the first 3 months after the fracture (41 %); 1 year mortality was 62 %. In the group of operated on patients, the mortality every 3 months was about 4.5 %, and mortality at 1 year was 18 %. In the statistical study, the factors that proved to be decisive at the moment of choosing the type of treatment (conservative or surgical) were: the mental condition, the general condition and the functional previous condition. For the survival, the principal risk factors were: In the group of non-operated on patients: The general condition (ASA III and IV) and the mental condition. In the group of operated on patients: The general condition, the mental condition and the sex (male). When considered all the patients: The general condition, the mental condition, the sex and age (> 83 years). The functional previous condition and the type of fracture were not considered risk factors in any group. DISCUSSION: The age is not a risk factor of high-level of evidence. The sex is a controversial risk factor. The pre-fracture general condition is outlined as a clear risk factor for the mortality. The mental condition is an important factor. The functional condition and the type of fracture do not seem to be relevant in the vital expectation.
