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. 2022 Apr 23:13:21514593221097274.
doi: 10.1177/21514593221097274. eCollection 2022.

Epidemiology of Fragility Pubic Ramus Fractures in the United States

Nishant Suneja  1   2 , Ryan M Kong  1 , Olivia C Tracey  1 , Zachary Mallon  3 , Eric H Tischler  1
Affiliations

Epidemiology of Fragility Pubic Ramus Fractures in the United States

Nishant Suneja et al. Geriatr Orthop Surg Rehabil. .

Abstract

Introduction: Previous studies illustrate significant increases in pelvic fracture incidence; however, there is a paucity of information on the incidence of osteoporotic pelvic ring injuries based on large-scale examinations of geographically and ethnically diverse populations. This study addresses the epidemiology of osteoporotic pubic ramus fractures in the United States and details differences in incidence rates with respect to age, gender, and race.

Materials and methods: National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) data between 2002 and 2019 was gathered for individuals aged 60 and above presenting to U.S. emergency departments with ramus fractures. Incidence rates for ramus injuries were calculated using adjusted U.S. Census Bureau estimates of population. Fracture incidences were calculated for age, gender, and race strata.

Results: The overall incidence rate of pubic ramus fractures in the United States between 2002 and 2019 was 13.47 per 1,000,000 people 60 years and older (95% confidence limit: 9.92-17.01). The incidence of pubic ramus fractures for females in the US was 21.71 (16.08-27.34). Rates of ramus fracture increased overall (P < .001) and for both genders between the ages of 60 and 100, though the rate increase was significantly greater in females than in males (P < .001). In terms of race, incidence was highest Asian females and lowest in Native American and Pacific Islander men.

Discussion/conclusion: : As the first national study addressing the epidemiology of ramus injuries in the United States, this work reveals these injuries comprise a significant fracture risk in the elderly. In addition, it highlights gender and ethnic strata that are more susceptible to these injuries.

Keywords: epidemiology; fragility fracture; national electronic injury surveillance system; pelvic fracture; rami fractures.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Incidence of ramus fractures in the US by year from 2002 to 2019.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Incidence of ramus fractures in the US: by gender, 2002 to 2019.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Incidence of ramus fractures in the US: by age groups and gender, 2002 to 2019.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Incidence of ramus fractures in the US: by race and gender, 2002 to 2019.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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