The Korean hip fracture registry study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Public Health

Background:

• Hip fractures are a significant health concern in adults aged 50 and above.
• The Korean Hip Fracture Registry (KHFR) was established to address this issue.
• Understanding risk factors for subsequent fractures is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a nationwide, hospital-based prospective cohort of hip fracture patients.
• To explore the incidence and risk factors of second osteoporotic fractures.
• To inform the development of an effective Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) model.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, multicenter longitudinal study initiated in 2014.
• Enrollment of 5,841 patients treated for proximal femur fractures due to low-energy trauma (age ≥50).
• Annual follow-up surveys for 4,803 participants to track second osteoporotic fractures.

Main Results:

• The study collected comprehensive radiological, medical, and laboratory data, including DXA and bone turnover markers.
• Analysis of 2014-2016 data showed proportions of femoral neck (42.0%), intertrochanteric (53.6%), and subtrochanteric (4.4%) fractures.
• Internal fixation had a higher reoperation rate than arthroplasty for unstable intertrochanteric fractures (6.1% vs. 2.4%).

Conclusions:

• The KHFR provides a unique dataset for analyzing osteoporotic hip fractures and informing FLS models.
• Future analyses will identify modifiable factors for mortality and risk factors for second fractures.
• The registry facilitates a 10-year cohort study to comprehensively assess outcomes and risks.