Dr Toby Smith, as co-author, talks about the most recent update to the Cochrane review that Professor Alison Avenell led on Nutrition Support After Hip Fracture.
This latest version shows that there is low-quality evidence that oral multinutrient supplements started before or soon after surgery may prevent complications within the first 12 months after hip fracture, but that they have no clear effect on mortality. There is very low-quality evidence that oral supplements may reduce 'unfavourable outcome' (death or complications) without increasing the incidence of vomiting and diarrhoea. This evidence base needs to be improved through adequately sized randomised trials with robust methodology, to develop better understanding on the use of nutritional supplements for older people following a hip fracture.
To listen to the podcast, follow this link:
http://www.cochrane.org/podcasts/10.1002/14651858.CD001880.pub6