Nutritional Intervention for Geriatric Hip Fracture Patients

A Randomized Controlled Study of Nutritional Intervention for Geriatric Hip Fracture Patients and Its Effect on Rehabilitation Outcomes

This is a randomized controlled, observer blinded trial to study the beneficial effect of nutritional supplementation in elderly Hong Kong patients after hip fracture surgery during rehabilitation and at 4 weeks follow up. The control group will receive Calcium and Vitamin D supplementation whereas the intervention group will receive a moderately high dose protein nutritional supplementation in addition to Vitamin D and Calcium. Both groups undergo the same rehabilitation program and dietary counseling before discharge. They are followed up 4 weeks after discharge or completion of supplementation. The outcome parameters are nutritional parameters and rehabilitation outcomes.

Ready made protein supplement drinks with approximate protein content of 18-24g per 500ml per day. Caloric content is 490 to 530Kcal depending on the brand of drink.

Change from Baseline in nutritional parameters at discharge from hospital and at 4 weeks after discharge

Change from Baseline in rehabilitation outcomes at discharge from hospital and at 4 weeks after discharge

Inclusion Criteria: Age 60 years or older Recent low impact osteoporotic fracture of the proximal femur surgically repaired within 4 weeks before recruitment Exclusion Criteria: Patients who require tube feeding Patients in unstable medical condition Body mass index (BMI) ≧ 25 Malignancy Conditions with contraindication for high protein diet Mentally incapacitated and inability to communicate or understand the consent.