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Declining incidence of osteoporotic hip fracture in Australia

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Abstract

Summary

Between 1997–1998 and 2006–2007 in Australia, the age-standardised incidence rates of hip fractures declined by 20 and 13 %, in females and males, respectively. Although this may be related to the rollout of public health campaigns and strategies addressing osteoporosis, absolute numbers of hip fractures continued to increase.

Background

Previous reports described an increasing trend in osteoporotic hip fracture incidence in Australia in the 1980s with a stabilisation over the 1990s.

Aim

The aim of this study was to describe national trends in the incidence of osteoporotic hip fracture in Australia between 1997–1998 and 2006–2007.

Methods

Data on low-trauma hip fractures in persons aged 50 years and over were obtained from the National Hospital Morbidity Database. Cases where the patient was transferred in from another hospital were excluded. Age-standardised incidence rates were calculated and a linear test for trend applied.

Results

Although the absolute number of hip fracture cases has continued to increase, from 14,769 in 1997–1998 to 16,412 in 2006–2007, these numbers are lower than previous predictions based on population ageing. Over the 10-year period, the age-standardised incidence rates in females declined by 20 %, from 370 to 295 per 100,000, while the age-standardised incidence rates in males declined by 13 %, from 200 to 174 per 100,000. Both declines were statistically significant. The sex difference in incidence rates narrowed between 1997–1998 (females 85 % higher) and 2006–2007 (females 70 % higher).

Conclusions

The age-standardised incidence of osteoporotic hip fracture in Australia is falling. This may be related to the uptake of bisphosphonates as well as the rollout of public health campaigns and strategies addressing osteoporosis.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing through its Better Arthritis and Osteoporosis Care initiative. The input of the Advisory Committee of the National Centre for Monitoring Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Conditions is gratefully acknowledged.

Conflicts of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Centre for Monitoring Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Conditions, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 26 Thynne St, Fern Hill Park, Bruce, ACT, 2615, Australia

    Alice Crisp, Tracy Dixon, Kuldeep Bhatia & Adrian Webster

  2. Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, Private Bag 23, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia

    Graeme Jones & Laura L. Laslett

  3. School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia

    Robert G. Cumming

  4. NorthWest Academic Centre, Sunshine Hospital, The University of Melbourne, St. Albans, VIC, 3021, Australia

    Peter R. Ebeling

Authors
  1. Alice Crisp
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  2. Tracy Dixon
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  3. Graeme Jones
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  4. Robert G. Cumming
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  5. Laura L. Laslett
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  6. Kuldeep Bhatia
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  7. Adrian Webster
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  8. Peter R. Ebeling
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Correspondence to Peter R. Ebeling.

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Crisp, A., Dixon, T., Jones, G. et al. Declining incidence of osteoporotic hip fracture in Australia. Arch Osteoporos 7, 179–185 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11657-012-0095-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11657-012-0095-y

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