Decreasing incidence of hip fracture in the Funen County, Denmark

Abstract

Background: Hip fracture incidence rates are high, and increase with increasing age. Previous studies have predicted a continued increase in both crude and age-standardized rates.

Method: We estimated incidence rates, based on a complete and validated register containing verified and individually sequenced hip fractures from 1996-2003, for a population of 500,000 people in Funen County, Denmark.

Results: The verified number of the first hip fractures was 6,676, with 520 subsequent fractures. Between 1996 and 2003, the incidence rate of first hip fracture fell by 2.4% per year for males (p = 0.02) and by 1.8% per year for females (p = 0.004). The highest decrease of 3.4% per year (p = 0.02) was seen in 80-84-year-old women.

Interpretation: The incidence rate of the first hip fracture has fallen in both sexes. In most age groups, the actual number of fractures has also decreased. The findings emphasize the need for valid projection studies which should include both demographic projections and modeling of the effects of different levels of prevention.