The relationship between alcohol consumption and hip fracture recovery among older adults

The relationship between alcohol consumption and hip fracture recovery was explored in a paper published in the Journal of Applied Gerontology.
Repeated measures analysis was used to analyse Baltimore Hip Studies (BHS) seventh cohort 12-month prospective data of hip fracture patients. The analytical sample was limited to 278 individuals with a mean age 81 years with baseline and follow-up alcohol data.
In the year prior to fracture, sample reporting indicated 45% nondrinking, 48% one to seven drinks per week, and 7% eight or more drinks per week alcohol levels. There were some changes in alcohol status during the study period; 42% remained nondrinkers and 47% remained alcohol consumers, but 8% stopped alcohol use, and 3% reported alcohol consumption after nondrinking at baseline. Alcohol was a predictor of disability and physical function, not showing worse recovery for drinkers.
Almost half of the sample consumed alcohol throughout the study period, with no clear indication of negative effects on hip fracture recovery.
Source: The Relationship Between Alcohol Consumption and Hip Fracture Recovery Among Older Adults. Zanjani F, Gruber-Baldini AL, Resnick B, Orwig D,
Hochberg M, Magaziner J. J Appl Gerontol. 2019 Apr 26:733464819845802.