Seasonality in incidence and mortality of hip fracture

Abstract

Objectives: To determine whether there is a seasonal relationship in the incidence and in-hospital mortality of patients with hip fracture.

Patients and methods: Longitudinal descriptive study of cases that included 1104 patients older than 64years admitted for fracture of the proximal extremity of the femur in the Hospital HCU Virgen de la Victoria during a period of 30months The epidemiological characteristics of the patients were recorded and the monthly incidence of fractures was related with the month of the year in which it occurred, as well as with the meteorological conditions, temperature and rainfall.

Results: The study population comprised a total of 1104 patients, with a greater proportion of women (75.1%). The average age was 82.3years. A tendency towards an increased incidence of these fractures was found. The in-hospital annual mortality rate was 2.97%, higher for men and in the age group over 84years. Seasonality was found in terms of the incidence of fractures above the average in the month of October and below this in the month of February. On the other hand, mortality was lower than the average in the month of March and higher in August. In both, a low correlation with temperature and rainfall was found.

Conclusions: The seasonal distribution of hip fractures presented an increase over the average in the month of October and a decrease in February. Mortality increased over the average in the month of August and decreased in March.

Keywords: Estacionalidad; Fractura de cadera; Hip fracture; Mortalidad; Mortality; Seasonality.