Fracture rate in a population-based sample of men in Reykjavik

The population-based Reykjavik Heart Study, started in 1967, aims at finding and evaluating risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. It included 4,137 men born between 1907 and 1934 and we examined all fractures recorded in these subjects from January 1977 until the end of December 2000, or death. Their mean age at the start of this study was 54 (42-69) years and the mean follow-up time 19 years. We examined the patients' records, including those from the Radiological Departments in all Reykjavik hospitals and the only out-patient accident clinic in Reykjavik. Old fractures and those caused by a malignancy were excluded. The intensity of the trauma was estimated from E-numbers. Altogether 1,531 fractures were recorded in 939 (23%) persons. A low-energy trauma caused 53% of all fractures. 612 had a single fracture during this period. 323 had two or more fractures--a 53% risk of sustaining additional fractures. The fracture incidence increased by 40% in each 10-year period. Fractures of the ribs were commonest (246), followed by those of the hand (241). 135 were hip fractures, 75% caused by low-energy trauma. The fracture rate was 20 per 1000 persons year--i.e., similar to that in other studies.