Gender differences in recovery from injuries to the extremities in older persons. A prospective study

• Published in: Disability and rehabilitation 2003-08, Vol.25 (15), p.827-832
• Main Authors: KEMPEN, GIJM, SANDERMAN, R, SCAF-KLOMP, W, ORMEL, J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accidental Falls; Activities of Daily Living; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Arm Injuries - diagnosis; Arm Injuries - rehabilitation; Arm Injuries - surgery; Female; Fractures, Bone - diagnosis; Fractures, Bone - rehabilitation; Fractures, Bone - surgery; Geriatric Assessment; Humans; Injury Severity Score; Leg Injuries - diagnosis; Leg Injuries - rehabilitation; Leg Injuries - surgery; Male; Netherlands; Physical Therapy Modalities - methods; Prognosis; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life; Recovery of Function; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Sampling Studies; Sex Factors; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0963-8288; 1464-5165
• DOI: 10.1080/0963828021000056875

Purpose : This paper examines gender differences in trajectories of basic activities of daily living after fall-related injuries to the extremities in independently living older people in the Netherlands. Method : The study comprised a prospective design. Data were collected from 31 men and 140 women at baseline, when they had not yet sustained injuries (hip fractures, other fractures or contortions and dislocations), and 8 weeks, 5 months and 12 months after their accident. Analysis of variance was used to test for differences in change in basic activities of daily living between baseline and follow-ups for men, for women and for the total study sample while adjusting for several covariates Results : The patients did not generally regain their pre-injury levels of functioning 12 months after their event. However, in contrast to the women, older men more closely reached their pre-injury levels of functioning. Although women deteriorated more than men, differences were not statistically significant at 8 weeks and 5 months post-injury. Long-term recovery, however, was significantly associated with gender when the impact of severity seemed to have expired. Conclusions : Recovery of basic activities of daily living one year after injuries to the extremities seems to be influenced by gender. Female patients recovered less well compared to males. These gender-related changes warrant concern and attention in clinical practice.