Protein Depletion in Thai Patients with Hip Fractures
Werasak Sutipornpalangkul PhD, MD*, Talabporn Harnroongroj PhD**
Affiliation : * Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok ** Department of Tropical Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok
Objective : Study the prevalence of protein depletion and determine the effect of protein depletion on post-
operative complications.
Materials and Methods : A retrospective study was performed in 255 Thai elderly patients who had been
admitted to Siriraj Hospital because of a fracture of the hip. The level of albumin was the parameter used to
determine the degree of protein depletion. The effects of protein depletion that were examined were the length
of hospital stay and the development of complications.
Results : Ninety-seven patients (44.5%) in the study group were in a protein-depleted state during the period
of hospitalization. The patients who were protein-depleted had a higher prevalence of complications and
tended to stay in the hospital longer, compared with the nonprotein-depleted patients.
Conclusion : Thai elderly patients who sustain the trauma of a fracture of the hip should be managed appro-
priately for the intake of nutrients during the hospitalized period to improve their health status.
Keywords : Protein depletion, Hip fracture, Complications
