Background and purpose: An increasing number of hip fractures were reported world wide during the last decades. Up to now incidence data are rare for Germany. The aim of this study is to determine actual person-related age- and sex-specific rates of hip fractures in Germany.
Methods: The linkable and person-specific but non-identifying database of a German statutory health insurance company, Gmuender ErsatzKasse (GEK), was used. All subjects who were admitted to hospital with a primary diagnosis of hip fracture (ICD-10: S72.0-S72.2) in 2004 were identified. Incidence rate ratios (IRR), age- and sex-specific rates (per 1000 person-years) were calculated. Annual numbers of hip fractures for all persons covered by statutory health insurances (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung- GKV) and the German population were estimated.
Results: The incidence of hip fracture increases exponentially with age. Hip fractures occur 129 times more often (IRR: 129.07; 95 % CI: 66.55 - 269.78) in women aged 90 - 94 years and 79 times more often (IRR: 78.97; 95 % CI: 30.02 - 185.87) in men aged 90 - 94 years compared to those aged 50 - 54 years. Approximately 101 037 (95 % CI: 91 779 - 110 294) persons are annually admitted to hospital in Germany due to this event.
Conclusion: Hip fractures are common in the elderly and especially in women. Because of demographic changes and a possible secular trend an increasing number of hip fractures are to be expected in the future.