Hip fracture is the most devastating osteoporotic fracture, increasing the risk of mortality. Recent data suggest a decrease in incidence of this fracture. Few data are available on potential changes in mortality. We studied the change of inpatient mortality from 2002 to 2008 in France.

Data were extracted from the French Hospital National Database. The absolute number of inpatient mortality for hip fracture was described as well as the case fatal rate and mortality rate adjusted on age and gender. Risk factors of inpatient mortality were assessed by multiple regressions.

Inpatient mortality stay decreased from 3057 to 2350 in patients aged 40 years and over and in both gender. Inpatient mortality stays were more important in women and increased with age, but the case fatal rate was higher in men than in women (5.4 vs. 2.8% in 2008). During the study period, the mortality rate (per 1 000 000) varied from 132 to 88 and from 82 to 64 in women and men, respectively. In the older patients, case fatality and mortality rates decreased significantly during the study period. From 2008 data, age more or equal to 85 years, male gender, stay in intensive care and existence of some chronic or acute disease, especially cardiovascular disease, hepatic disease, renal insufficiency, and infection were significant determinants of inpatient mortality.

Inpatient mortality after hip fracture decreased in France between 2002 and 2008, although age, male gender and comorbidities were identified as determinants of inpatient mortality.