Femoral neck fractures in Lithuania and Sweden. The differences in care and outcome.

Purpose: Hip fractures constitute a serious and common health problem from both individual and public health perspectives. Unified data collection and comparison between countries is recognised as an effective tool for care improvements. However, the variation in patients' demography, treatment methods and other local cultural aspects in different countries should be considered. The aim of our study was to compare femoral neck fracture patients treated in Kaunas and Lund, concerning functional outcome and quality of life.

Methods: We investigated 99 patients treated by arthroplasty in Kaunas Clinics and 117 patients in Lund University Hospital. Patients were investigated according to the National Swedish Hip Fracture Register model and were followed up for a period of four months after the injury. The patient's place of residence, mobility, complaints of pain and additional hospital stay were recorded. The EQ-5D questionnaire was used to evaluate quality of life.

Results: Patients in Kaunas were significantly younger, had lower ASA grade and were more mobile before trauma and at four moths follow-up. However, when comparing quality of life at four months follow-up between the institutions, Lund patients reported significantly better self care, felt less pain and discomfort, and had less symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Conclusions: The difference observed in quality of life rating between institutions might be related to local cultures of the countries and should be considered when comparing the data.