Changes in number and incidence of hip fractures over 12 years in France

Abstract

The incidence of hip fractures decreased in France in both genders, especially in the elderly, from 2002 to 2008, in parallel with availability of bone densitometry and effective anti-osteoporotic treatments. However prescriptions of these treatments are decreasing, since 2008, and recent studies show declining of osteoporosis management after fragility fractures. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of hip fractures in men and women aged 60 years and over, from 2002 to 2013 in France. Data were drawn from the French Hospital National Database which includes all hospitalizations of the country. Hospital data for hip fractures between 2002 and 2013 were numbered and the incidence rates per 1,000,000 adjusted on age (60-74; 74-84, and ≥ 85 years), and gender was calculated using the data of the French population. The number of hip fractures increased in women (+5%; from 49,287 in 2002 to 50,215) and in men (+22%, from 12,716 to 15,482) aged over 60 years. Between 2002 and 2013, the French population increased by 21 and 29% in women and men of this age group; thus, incidence of hip fractures decreased by 14% in women (6929 and 5987 per million in 2002 and 2013, respectively) and a slight decrease of -1% was observed in men (2344 and 2316). The decrease in incidence is also confirmed in the very elderly (≥ 85 years), with a decrease of -29% and -24% in women and men respectively. Over the last 12 years, the incidence of hip fractures decreased in France in women and men aged over 60 years. This decrease is also observed in the subjects (≥ 85 years and older in both genders). Further studies are needed to assess potential changes in risk factors of hip fractures during the last decade.

Keywords: Epidemiology; Hip fracture; Incidence; Osteoporosis.