The association between Norton scale gain and functional outcome among older hip fracture patients

AIM This study examines interrelations between gains of Norton Scale Score (NSS) and functional outcome measured by Functional Independence Measurement (FIM) among older hip fracture patients. DESIGN Retrospective study. METHODS We examined 227 patients consecutively hospitalized in a geriatric postacute rehabilitation ward. The data were collected during 2012-2017. Data were analysed using Student's t test, chi-square test, Pearson's correlation coefficient and linear regression. RESULTS Patients with positive NSS gains demonstrated statistically significant higher total FIM, motor FIM and total FIM gain scores at hospital discharge, compared with patients showing no NSS gains or negative NSS. Multiple regression analysis indicated that positive NSS gains were independently predictive for higher total FIM and motor FIM scores at hospital discharge and higher motor FIM gains at discharge. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that positive NSS gains are associated with higher FIM scores at hospital discharge and may assist in predicting the functional outcome of hospitalized older hip fracture patients.