HIP-FRACTURES INCIDENCE RATES IN GERMANY COMPARED TO OTHER COUNTRIES

Reported age-adjusted incidence rates vary markedly in Europe and the US, making the transposition of results from elsewhere questionable. The aim of this study is to fill this gap and to compare the hip fracture incidence between Germany and other countries. Population-based epidemiologic research was conducted in Duren (84 251 residents), because its population is representative for West Germany as far as age and social structure are concerned, and because medical care is virtually self-contained within the community. Patient files and discharge statistics of the three local hospitals were thoroughly reviewed. Hip fractures after adequate trauma and pathological fractures were excluded. Between 1987 and 1989 276 inadequate hip fractures were identified among the resident population. There was a highly significant increase in the age-specific incidence of hip fractures in both sexes, but females were more frequently affected (crude average annual incidence rate per 100 000: females 291,3, males 110,2). The age-adjusted incidence rates for Germany in comparison to published international data follow on third position after the high rates reported for Norway and the US. The annual incidence of 70 000 hip fractures for the former Federal Republic of Germany is significantly higher than expected.