The primary objective of the proposed research is to investigate the association between protein intake and nutritional status with bone health and physical functioning in older hip fracture patients. In addition, it will be investigated which patient characteristics and modifiable factors can predict mobility, clinical frailty, living situation and mortality. This study will be a 3-month prospective cohort study in adults aged 70 years and older with an acute hip fracture. This study will lead to knowledge about how protein intake and nutritional status in combination with patient characteristics can predict the degree of recovery (bone health and physical functioning) 3 months after the hip fracture. Knowledge on factors related to recovery can contribute to an improved and shorter rehabilitation in the future, which results in a reduction of health care costs.

Only half of the patients with an acute hip fracture regain their pre-fracture functional level and 24% dies within the following year. Identifying and targeting modifiable risk factors for optimal recovery after a hip fracture is therefore essential. These factors include protein intake and nutritional status, which may affect markers of bone health and physical functioning and thereby influence recovery. Measurements will be performed at baseline (within 5 days after the hip surgery) and after 3 months during an outpatient clinic visit for the evaluation of the hip fracture surgery. A total of 95 older adults (aged 70 years or older) recovering from an acute hip fracture will be recruited from Rijnstate hospital.