EPIDEMIOLOGY OF HIP-FRACTURES IN THE NETHERLANDS - WOMEN COMPARED WITH MEN

In this retrospective study the epidemiology of hip fractures in The Netherlands was evaluated. The number of hip fractures over the period 1972-1987 was collected from the Dutch Centre for Health Care Information (Stichting Informatiecentrum voor de Gezondheidszorg, SIG). The demographic data were collected from the Dutch Centre for Statistics (Centraal bureau voor de Statistiek, CBS). The age-adjusted incidence of hip fractures for both women and men 50 years of age and over, increased linearly over the period 1972-1987. There was also a linear rise in the age-adjusted incidence of hip fractures in women and men 65 years of age and over, but the rise in incidence was equal in both sexes. After the age of 50 years women and men showed an equal proportional increase in the age-specific incidence of hip fractures by 5-year age groups. This proportional increase was independent of the calendar year studied during the period 1972-1987. The increase over time in the age-adjusted incidence of hip fractures in inhabitants 50 years of age and over is the result of changes that act well before the age of 50 years, because the proportional increase in the age-specific incidence of these fractures after the age of 50 years did not change over the period studied. The cohort analysis showed that the age-specific incidence of hip fractures in more recently born birth cohorts is higher than that in birth cohorts born long ago. This observation agrees with the other observations. However the cohort analysis also showed evidence that the increase in the age-specific incidence of hip fractures, with increasing age groups might be smaller in more recently born birth cohorts. Therefore the age-specific incidence of hip fractures in the oldest age group, i.e. in inhabitants 85 years of age and over, might become equal for all birth cohorts. It is concluded that preventive measures and various interventions should be started before the age of 50 years in both women and men.