Incidence of hip fractures in Malmö, Sweden, 1992-1995. A trend-break

The incidence of hip fractures in Malmö, Sweden, has been studied since 1924. Predictions based on material from the 1950s to the 1980s have shown an almost exponential increase in incidence. During 1992-1995, 2,268 patients aged 50 and older, with hip fractures, were admitted to Malmö University Hospital, the only hospital in the city treating hip fractures. 76% were women with a mean age of 81 (SD 8) years, and the mean age of men was 78 (SD 9) years. 47% of the fractures were cervical. The annual incidences per 10,000 inhabitants were 36 in men and 85 in women. The corresponding numbers of subjects over 80 years were 170 men and 297 women. These findings show that the incidence is no longer increasing. The causes of such a trend-break could be successful osteoporosis prevention, an increasing proportion of non-Scandinavian immigrants with a lower genetic risk of osteoporotic fractures, or a healthier elderly population. Increasing number of the population at risk already have two operated hips, due to previous fractures or arthrosis. Other causes may be fewer prescriptions of sedatives and higher winter temperatures.