Epidemiological Profile and Incidence of Hip Fractures in Greece

Abstract

Introduction: This study was designed to determine the epidemiological profile of hip fractures among Greek population with special importance to the cause of fracture, their characteristics, the treatment instituted and to assess the incidence.

Methods: The current study conducted in a single hospital in the northern part of Greece, in the regional unit of Grevena, during the 2016 calendar year. Patients themselves, or a relative member or a caregiver, were interviewed by a questionnaire regarding to the past medical history, time and place of the fracture occurrences.

Results: The 73 patients included in the study presented a mean age of 83.5 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:2.17. Falling from the same level was the cause of 97.6% of the fractures. Transtrochanteric fractures accounted for 52.1% of the fractures, femoral neck fractures, 38.4% and subtrochanteric fractures, 9.6%. More fractures are seen during the summer months (32.9%), inside the house (61.6%) and during the morning (49.3%). The overall annual incidence rate was 672.2 per 100,000 inhabitants (442.6 and 882.9 per 100,000 male and female, respectively). Length of waiting time to surgery was 1.87 days and length of hospital stay was 8.46 days, without statistical significance according to the type of surgery, the age group and the associated comorbidities. Hypertension (87.7%) was the most common comorbidity, followed by heart disease (50.7%) and depression (31.5%).

Conclusion: The patients attended at this hospital presented an epidemiological profile similar to the worldwide literature. Hip fracture rates in the region of Grevena are higher than other regions in Greece, such as Athens and Crete.