Diabetes comorbidity and age influence rehabilitation outcomes after hip fracture

OBJECTIVE - To examine the influence of diabetes on length of stay (LOS), functional status, and discharge setting in individuals with hip fracture. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - This work included secondary analyses of 79,526 individuals from 915 rehabilitation facilities in the U.S. Patients were classified into three groups using the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services comorbidity structure: individuals without diabetes (77.0%), individuals with non-tier diabetes (18.3%), and individuals with tier diabetes (4.7%). RESULTS - Mean age was 79.4 years (SD 9.6), and mean LOS was 13.3 days (SD 5.3). Tier diabetes was associated with longer LOS, lower functional status ratings, and reduced odds of discharge home when compared with individuals with no diabetes and non-tier diabetes. Statistically significant interactions (P < 0.05) were found between age and diabetes classification for LOS, functional status, and discharge setting. CONCLUSIONS - The impact of diabetes on recovery after hip fracture is moderated by age.