The Epidemic of Hip Fractures: Are We on the Right Track? Trends in Hip Fracture, The Netherlands, 1981–2008
2011

Trends in Hip Fractures in the Netherlands (1981–2008)

Sample size: 355320 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Hartholt Klaas A., Oudshoorn Christian, Zielinski Stephanie M., Burgers Paul T. P. W., Panneman Martien J. M., van Beeck Ed F., Patka Peter, van der Cammen Tischa J. M.

Primary Institution: Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam

Hypothesis

What are the time trends in hip fracture-related hospitalizations and admission duration in the older Dutch population?

Conclusion

There was a trend break in the incidence rates of hip fracture-related hospitalizations around 1994, likely due to efforts to prevent falls and fractures.

Supporting Evidence

  • The absolute number of hip fractures doubled in the older Dutch population from 1981 to 2008.
  • The age-adjusted incidence rate increased from 52.0 to 67.6 per 10,000 older persons.
  • The total number of hospital days was reduced by a fifth due to a reduced admission duration.

Takeaway

Hip fractures are a big problem for older people, but the rate of hospitalizations for them has started to go down since 1994.

Methodology

Secular trend analysis of hospitalizations in the older Dutch population (≥65 years) from 1981 to 2008 using the National Hospital Discharge Registry.

Potential Biases

Potential for double registration of readmissions.

Limitations

Data were obtained from a linked administrative database, which did not include information on medication use or co-morbidities.

Participant Demographics

Older adults aged 65 years and older, with a male to female ratio of 1:3.

Statistical Information

P-Value

<0.05

Confidence Interval

95% CI: −0.7; −0.3

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0022227

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