The changing epidemiology of fall-related fractures in adults

Abstract

There has been very little analysis of the epidemiology of adult fall-related fractures outwith the osteoporotic population. We have analysed all in-patient and out-patient fall-related fractures in a one-year period in a defined population and documented their epidemiology. The overall prevalence of non-spinal fall-related fractures is 63.1% with 40.7% and 82.7% occurring in males and females respectively. In females aged 20-29 years >50% of fractures follow falls, the equivalent age range in males being 50-59 years. Analysis of fall-related fractures in two one-year periods in 2000 and 2010/11 shows a significant increase in almost all age ranges up to 60-69 years with a decreased incidence in 90+ patients. In males there is a significant increase in 30-39year males but also in males >80years. In females the greatest increase in incidence is in 16-19year females but all age ranges show a significant increase up to 60-69 years. There is a decreased incidence in 90+ females. The reasons for the increase in the incidence of fall-related are multifactorial but they are probably contributed to by the inherently weaker bone of younger females and by the increased incidence of conditions such as obesity and diabetes.

Keywords: Adults; Epidemiology; Falls; Fractures; Osteoporosis.