The incidence and mortality of hip fractures in two regions of southern Sweden 1992-1997

We have investigated patients with hip fracture between 1992-1997 in two regions in southern Sweden, the urban city of Malmo and the rural Hassleholm-Kristianstad (HK). All patients with hip fracture over 65 years of age were included, resulting in a total of 5201 consecutive hip fractures in 4891 patients. The annual incidence of hip fracture for the period 1992-1997 was in Malmo 69/10 000 for men and 138/10 000 for women, and 62/10 000 for men and 125/10 000 for women in HK. The 6/12 month mortality rate was in Malmo 25%/31.6% for men and 15.9%/20.3% for women, while it was 23.1%/28.9% for men and 12.8%/17.4% for women in HK. We found significantly lower incidence of hip fracture among the rural population in both sexes and also lower mortality rates among the population with hip fracture in the rural area. (C) 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.