The epidemiology of osteoporotic fractures in a Mediterranean country

Abstract

A population study was carried out over a period of 3 years (1987–1989) to determine the incidence of osteoporotic fractures. Fractures diagnosed in the two acute hospitals of the Maltese Islands were collected and classified according to the fracture site, age, sex, and patient's residence. Fractures in the Maltese Islands can only be diagnosed and adequately treated in these two general hospitals. A total of 8780 fractures were examined. Fracture of the neck of the femur was the most common fracture for which patients were admitted to the hospital. There were twice (1.96) as many females as males hospitalized for this fracture, giving an annual incidence of 262/100,000 females to 134/100,000 males over the age of 45. The fracture incidence was 2–3 times less than that found in North European countries, but was similar to the fracture rates obtained in Mediterranean studies. Fracture radius was the most frequent fracture treated on an outpatients basis. In over 45-year-olds, the female predominance persisted, giving a ratio of 3.65:1. This gave an annual incidence of 452/100,000 females to 150/100,000 males. Again, the fracture indicence obtained was significantly lower than that of Northern European countries. Other long bones showed a similar female to male (F:M) ratio in the cohort over 45 years of age. The bones showing this F:M ratio were the humerus (3.9:1), fibula (1.89:1), and tibia (1.6:1). Below 45 years of age males had more fractures than females for any bone studied. The epidimiological graphs obtained were similar to those of other studies suggesting that similar factors influence the development of osteoporosis. Further studies are required to analyze these factors in detail.