Increasing age-specific incidence of hip fractures in a Danish municipality.

ABSTRACT

From 1970 to 1986 a total of 4578 hip fractures were registered in persons > or = 40 years in a Danish urban municipality. During that period, the annual number almost tripled. The statistical analysis revealed an increase in the age-specific incidence for both females and males (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, the number of fractures increased due to demographic aging. The overall incidence for individuals > or = 40 years increased 9-10% annually; from 2.1 to 5.4 per 1.000 females, and from 0.9 to 2.1 per 1.000 males. The femalemale ratio was 2.8 without changes over time. If the observed increase in incidence is extrapolated to the next 17 years, a doubling of the annual number of fractures is predicted by the year 2002, whereas an unchanged incidence would result in a 20% increase in number.