HIP FACTURE INCIDENCE IN WOMEN BELONGING TO THE MANAGED CARE OF THE GERMAN HOSPITAL, BUENOS AIRES

Abstract

Hip fracture (HF) incidence varies according to demographic and geographic characteristics of the studied populations. Other factors exist and may be irregularly distributed forming different subpopulations. People belonging to managed care can be considered one of such subpopulations and information about fracture rates is extremely useful in the calculation of related costs. This study contemplates the incidence of HF in women older than 50 years affiliated to a closed managed care (German Hospital, Buenos Aires) over a period of 11 years. We reviewed the charts of all women older than 50 years old who underwent an arthroplasty between 01/01/94 and 31/12/04. Age, previous HP, type of fracture (cervical or trochanteric) and life status up to 12 months post fracture were recorded. A total of 184 fractures in 75,583 persons/year were observed, which represents an incidence of 2.43 HP/1000 persons.year. Mean age was 77.4±8.5 years. The HF incidence increased exponentially with age. Annual incidence variability (range 1.52-3.91 HF/1000 persons.year) was not significant and did not show any trend. Eight point seven percent of women had previous HF. One hundred and seventeen out of 184 HF were cervical (C) and 67 were trochanteric (T); C/T ratio was 82/36 in women < 82 years and 35/31 in those > 82 years old (p= 0.026), showing a propensity in older women to suffer trochanteric fractures. The mortality rate within 12 months following the fracture (9.3 %) is among the lowest reported, with age as a significant risk factor.