Trends in hip fracture rates in spain from 2001 to 2018

The present study includes the longest period of analysis with the highest number of hip fracture episodes (756,308) described in the literature for Spain. We found that the age-adjusted rates progressively decreased from 2005 to 2018. We believe that this is significant because it may mean that measures such as prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, or programs promoting healthy lifestyles, have had a positive impact on hip fracture rates.

To describe the evolution of cases and rates of hip fracture (HF) in patients 65 years or older in Spain from 2001 to 2018 and examine trends in adjusted rates.

Retrospective, observational study including patients ≥65 years with acute HF. Data from 2001 to 2018 were obtained from the Spanish National Record of the Minimum Basic Data Set of the Ministry of Health. We analysed cases of HF, crude incidence and age-adjusted rates by sex, length of hospital stay (LOS) and in-hospital mortality, and used joinpoint regression analysis to explore temporal trends.

We identified 756,308 HF cases. Mean age increased 2.5 years, LOS decreased 4.5 days and in-hospital mortality was 5.5–6.5%. Cases of HF increased by 49%. Crude rate per 100,000 was 533.3 (95% confidence interval [CI], 532.1–534.5), increasing 14.0% (95%CI, 13.7–14.2). Age-adjusted HF incidence rate increased by 6.9% from 2001 (535.7; 95%CI, 529.9–541.5) to 2005 (572.4; 95%CI, 566.7–578.2), then decreased by 13.3% until 2017 (496.1, 95%CI, 491.7–500.6). Joinpoint regression analysis indicated a progressive increase in age-adjusted incidence rates of 1.9% per year from 2001 to 2005 and a progressive decrease of -1.1% per year from 2005 to 2018. A similar pattern was identified in both sexes.

Crude incidence rates of HF in Spain in persons ≥65 years from 2001 to 2018 have gradually increased. Age-adjusted rates show a significant increase from 2001 to 2005 and a progressive decrease from 2005 to 2018.