Survey of hip fractures in Japan: Recent trends in prevalence and treatment

Background

A nationwide survey of hip fractures by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) from 1998 to 2008 found a drastic increase in incidence. The aims of this study were to elucidate the status of hip fractures from 2009 to 2014 and to survey the causes for delayed surgery.

Methods

A tally of all hip fractures that occurred in patients from 2009 to 2014 was conducted in hospitals authorized by the JOA or in clinics with inpatient facilities of the Japanese Clinical Orthopaedic Association (JCOA). A survey of the causes for delay in surgery was conducted at 849 sites and 526 sites participated.

Results

A total of 488,759 hip fractures were registered. Increases in incidence from 2009 to 2014 were prominent in the 90–94-year-old age group among women and the 85–89-year-old age group among men. More trochanteric fractures than neck fractures occurred; however, the neck/trochanter ratio increased over time. The mean duration of preoperative hospital stay was 4.8 and 4.5 days, and the mean duration of hospitalization was 40.5 and 36.8 days in 2009 and 2014, respectively. There were significant differences between patients who waited for surgery up to 3 days and those who waited longer than 3 days in date of hospitalization, fracture type, comorbidities, anticoagulant use, surgical procedure, type of physician who administered anesthesia, type of anesthesia, and operating room schedule. Physicians in charge of each patient who waited for surgery for more than 3 days most frequently cited difficulties in securing operating rooms as the cause for delayed surgery.

Conclusion

A drastic increase occurred in the number of patients with hip fractures with time in Japan. One problem in the treatment of hip fractures is the long waiting time from hospitalization to surgery resulting from difficulties in securing operating rooms.