Hip fracture in Hong Kong over the last decade - a comparison with the UK

Background Hip fracture is a major public health problem in Asia and the UK . The objectives of this study were to describe the trends of hip fracture in Hong Kong over the last decade, and to compare the incidence in Hong Kon g with that from the Wessex Health Region of the UK in 1995. Methods The number of hip fractures was calculated using hospital discharge records for all public hospitals in Hong Kong in 1991 and 1995. Age-specif ic incidence rates were then calculated using the mid-year census populatio n for the two years. These rates were presented with previously reported ag e-specific rates for Hong Kong in 1966 and 1985. These age-specific rates f or Hong Kong in 1995 were compared with rates for the Wessex Health Region of the UK. The total number of hip fracture expected in 2010 was calculated by applying the age-specific rates of 1995 to the projected population for 2010. Results In 1995, a total of 1138 men and 2782 women in Ho ng Kong fractured their hip. The age-specific rates had remained static from 1985 to 1995, a fter substantial rise from 1966 to 1985. in 1995, the rates of hip fracture rates were 11/1000 in women and 5/1000 in men who were 70 years and older, These rates were almost identical to those observed in the Wessex Health R egion of the UK. Conclusion The age-specific incidence rates of hip fracture had not risen i n Hong Kong in the last decade. The incidence of hip fracture in Hong Kong was similar to that in the UK in 1995. The total number of patients with hi p fracture in Hong Kong will increase substantially in the future, as a res ult of the ageing of the population.