Epidemiology of adult fractures in eastern Croatia by cause of injury, fracture location and type of treatment

Abstract

This retrospective study investigated the impact of age on fracture occurrence through the comparison of two patient groups, 17-64 and 64+ age groups. Study data covered all fractures treated at a large hospital in eastern Croatia. A total of 15,519 patients with fractures were treated at the trauma department (inpatient and outpatient), with a total of 17,257 fractures presented, 71% managed as outpatients and 29% as inpatients. A total of 11,046 outpatients were treated for 12,187 fractures and a total of 4473 inpatients were treated for 5070 fractures. The group of 17-64-year old males had 5787 fractures, accounting for 34% of all fractures presented. The group of 17-64-year old females had 4094 fractures, accounting for 24% of total fractures. The group of 65+ year-old males had 2659 fractures, accounting for 15% of all fractures presented and the group of 65+ year-old females presented with 4717 fractures, accounting for 27% of all fractures presented. The 'fall in level' was the predominant cause of injury in all patients. The characteristics of osteoporotic bone fractures were evident in the population of 65+ females and to a lesser degree in 65+ males. The 17-64 age group, both males and females, had more fractures considered as high-energy fractures.