Hip fracture incidence in the elderly in Austria: An epidemiological study covering the years 1994 to 2006
2008

Hip Fracture Incidence in the Elderly in Austria

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Mann Eva, Icks Andrea, Haastert Burkhard, Meyer Gabriele

Primary Institution: General practice and Institute for Health Services Research, Austria

Hypothesis

What are the trends in hip fracture incidence among the elderly population in Austria from 1994 to 2006?

Conclusion

There is no downward trend of hip fracture incidence in the Austrian elderly population from 1994 to 2006.

Supporting Evidence

  • The number of hospital admissions due to hip fractures increased from 11,694 in 1994 to 15,987 in 2006.
  • Crude incidence rates for men increased from 244.3 in 1994 to 330.8 in 2006.
  • Crude incidence rates for women increased from 637.3 in 1994 to 758.7 in 2006.
  • After adjustment for age and sex, the annual hip fracture incidence increase was statistically significant.

Takeaway

The number of hip fractures in older people in Austria has been going up, and we need to find out why to help prevent them.

Methodology

Data on hip fractures were collected from the national hospital discharge register and analyzed using Poisson regression.

Limitations

The study could not account for recurrent admissions and coding mistakes, and there was a change in coding systems during the study period.

Participant Demographics

The study focused on the population aged 50 years and above in Austria.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p < 0.01

Confidence Interval

95% CI 1.01 to 1.01

Statistical Significance

p < 0.01

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2318-8-35

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