In contrast to prior comparisons from non-nursing home (NH) populations, the incidence of hip fracture was lower in NH residents with multiple sclerosis (MS) as compared with matched controls, a recent study found. Residents with MS were much more functionally dependent, which likely explains these findings. Researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study using national NH clinical assessment and Medicare claims data. A total of 5,692 NH residents with MS were matched to 28,460 without MS. Participants included age-, sex- and race-matched NH residents with/without MS (2007–2008). Multivariable competing risk regression was used to compare 2-year hip fracture risk, and to examine risk factors. They found:

• Approximately 80% of residents with MS vs 50% of those without MS required extensive assistance in walking at NH admission.
• The adjusted incidence rate of hip fracture was 7.1 and 18.6 per 1,000 person-years in those with or without MS, respectively.
• Wandering and anxiolytic exposure were the main hip fracture risk factors in transfer independent residents with MS; while pneumonia and antidepressant use were the main factors in dependent residents with MS.