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Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Imaging of the Microstructural Failure Mechanism in the Human Hip
Published on: September 29, 2023
Trend of hip fracture incidence in Germany 1995-2004: a population-based study
A Icks1, B Haastert, M Wildner
1Faculty of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and International Public Health, School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany. dr.andrea.icks@aekno.de
Unlabelled:
We analyzed hip fracture incidence trends in Germany 1995-2004, using national hospital discharge register. Crude incidences per 100,000 increased from 121.2 (95% CI 120.5-121.9) in 1995 to 140.9 (140.2-141.7) in 2004. Age-sex-adjusted annual incidence ratios showed a statistically significant, but only slight increase (1.01, p<0.01), compared to higher rises in the past. Trends differed markedly with sex, age, and regions.
Introduction:
Data concerning actual trends of the hip fracture incidence and differences for sex, age, and region are limited. We analyzed hip fracture incidence trends in Germany 1995-2004, using the national hospital discharge register. Crude incidences per 100,000 increased from 121.2 (95% CI 120.5-121.9) in 1995 to 140.9 (140.2-141.7) in 2004. Age-sex-adjusted annual incidence ratios showed a statistically significant, but only slight increase (1.01, p<0.01), compared to higher rises in the past. Trends differed markedly with sex, age, and regions.
Methods:
Analysis of annual hip fracture incidences using the national hospital discharge register. Estimate of age-sex-adjusted changes was found by using Poisson regression (incidence rate ratios, IRR).
Results:
The number of patients with at least one hospital admission for hip fracture increased (1995: n=99,141; 2004: n=116,281). Crude incidences per 100,000 were 121.2 (95% confidence interval 120.5-121,9) and 140.9 (140.2-141.7), respectively. The age-sex-adjusted hip fracture incidence increased statistically significantly, but only slightly (IRR per year: 1.01; 1.00-1.01; IRR 1995-2004: 1.05, p<0.01). In men aged 40 years or older, incidences increased. In women, there was a tendency of a decrease up to 74 years of age, but also a significant increase in higher age groups. In people 0-39 years, the incidence declined markedly (IRR 1995-2004, men 0.74; 0.69-0.79, women 0.62; 0.55-0.69, both p<0.01). The increase was significantly higher in Eastern compared to Western Germany (interaction: p=0.002), and differences between East and West decreased.
Conclusions:
In contrast to earlier years, the hip fracture incidence in Germany 1995-2004 increased only slightly, with a decline in younger people, but increases in older ages, particularly in men. Regional differences decreased.
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