Distal femur fractures have a higher mortality rate compared to hip fractures among the elderly: Insights from the National Trauma Data Bank

•Distal femur fractures have increased risk for in-patient mortality compared with hip fractures.•Distal femur fractures have longer length of stay and required ventilation use compared to hip fractures.•Secondary fracture patterns vary among patients with distal femur and hip fractures. The comparison of mortality and morbidity between distal femur (DF) and hip fracture in the old age is rarely reported in the literature. We aim to analyze a nationwide database among the elderly to compare the outcomes between hip fractures and distal femur fractures in the United States. A retrospective analysis of the National Trauma Data Bank was queried between 2007-2014 to identify distal femur (DF) and hip fracture patients greater than 65 years of age. Outcomes analyzed included in-hospital mortality, total hospital length of stay(LOS), intensive care unit length of stay(ICU-LOS), length of ventilation use and hospital discharge disposition. Multivariable regression models were performed to adjust for potential confounders. Statistical significance was established at p