Body mass index as a prognostic factor for fracturing of the proximal extremity of the femur: a case-control study.

Objectives: To compare the body mass index (BMI) of patients with fractures in the proximal extremity of the femur with the BMI of patients without any previous history of fractures.

Methods: We investigated patients of both sexes, aged 65 years or over, who were admitted to Hospital Independência, Hospital Beneficência Portuguesa or ULBRA University Hospital, between December 2007 and December 2010, with histories of low-energy trauma such as falling from a standing position. These individuals were compared with patients of the same age but without any history of fracturing of the proximal extremity of the femur (n = 89), who were attended at the geriatrics outpatient clinic of the Sociedade Porto-Alegrense de Auxílio aos Necessitados (SPAAN).