J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2015 Aug;50(4):307-312. 10.4055/jkoa.2015.50.4.307.

Epidemiology and Seasonal Variance of Incidence of Distal Radius Fractures

• Lee HJ
• Han SH
• Jo YG
• Lee SH
• Bong ST

• KMID: 2035867
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.2015.50.4.307

Abstract

PURPOSE
Fracture of the distal radius is one of the most common fractures encountered in the emergency room. The incidence of distal radius fracture has increased substantially according to several studies that estimated the overall incidence in various general populations. However, there is a paucity of epidemiological data regarding distal radius fracture in Korea. The aim of this study was to estimate the epidemiology and seasonal variance of incidence of distal radius fractures in the Korean population.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Medical records and radiographs of the 432 patients who visited the emergency room for distal radius fractures from January 2012 to December 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. Authors analyzed the epidemiologic parameters including age, gender, injury mechanism, fracture classification, combined fracture, treatment method and monthly incidence.
RESULTS
The mean age of the patients at the time of injury was 53 years (41.6 years in 171 men, 64.5 years in 261 women). The highest incidence in age distribution was the sixth and seventh decade (45.2%) and male to female ratio was 1.0:2.5. Most fractures (78.4%) were caused by a lower energy fall and the most common combined fractures were the ulnar styloid fracture (38.6%). According to the AO classification, 54.5% were type A, 14.5% were type B and 31.0% were type C and 39.2% of the patient underwent surgery for treatment. The incidence of fracture began to rise in November (12.1%) and peaked in December (14.2%).
CONCLUSION
This study examined the epidemiology and seasonal variance of incidence of distal radius fractures from the patient records of a single University hospital. The epidemiological data gathered in this study could be added to our knowledge of distal radius fractures in the Korean population, thus it enables the Korean surgeon to determine the best management for individual patients.

Keyword

distal radius fracture; radius fracture epidemiology; seasonal incidence

MeSH Terms

Age Distribution
Classification
Emergency Service, Hospital
Epidemiology*
Female
Humans
Incidence*
Korea
Male
Medical Records
Radius Fractures*
Radius*
Retrospective Studies
Seasons*

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 Incidence of distal radius fractures according to gender and age.

• 

  Figure 2 Incidence of distal radius fracture of the injury mechanism.

• 

  Figure 3 Seasonal incidence of distal radius fractures.

Reference

1. Kakarlapudi TK, Santini A, Shahane SA, Douglas D. The cost of treatment of distal radial fractures. Injury. 2000; 31:229–232.

2. Melton LJ 3rd, Amadio PC, Crowson CS, O'Fallon WM. Long-term trends in the incidence of distal forearm fractures. Osteoporos Int. 1998; 8:341–348.

3. Bengnér U, Johnell O. Increasing incidence of forearm fractures. A comparison of epidemiologic patterns 25 years apart. Acta Orthop Scand. 1985; 56:158–160.

4. Hove LM, Fjeldsgaard K, Reitan R, Skjeie R, Sörensen FK. Fractures of the distal radius in a Norwegian city. Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg Hand Surg. 1995; 29:263–267.

5. Cuenca J, Martínez AA, Herrera A, Domingo J. The incidence of distal forearm fractures in Zaragoza (Spain). Chir Main. 2003; 22:211–215.

6. Brogren E, Petranek M, Atroshi I. Incidence and characteristics of distal radius fractures in a southern Swedish region. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2007; 8:48.

7. Owen RA, Melton LJ 3rd, Johnson KA, Ilstrup DM, Riggs BL. Incidence of Colles' fracture in a North American community. Am J Public Health. 1982; 72:605–607.

8. Thompson PW, Taylor J, Dawson A. The annual incidence and seasonal variation of fractures of the distal radius in men and women over 25 years in Dorset, UK. Injury. 2004; 35:462–466.

9. Maravic M, Le Bihan C, Landais P, Fardellone P. Incidence and cost of osteoporotic fractures in France during 2001. A methodological approach by the national hospital database. Osteoporos Int. 2005; 16:1475–1480.

10. Fanuele J, Koval KJ, Lurie J, Zhou W, Tosteson A, Ring D. Distal radial fracture treatment: what you get may depend on your age and address. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2009; 91:1313–1319.

11. Falch JA. Epidemiology of fractures of the distal forearm in Oslo, Norway. Acta Orthop Scand. 1983; 54:291–295.

12. Solgaard S, Petersen VS. Epidemiology of distal radius fractures. Acta Orthop Scand. 1985; 56:391–393.

13. Larsen CF, Lauritsen J. Epidemiology of acute wrist trauma. Int J Epidemiol. 1993; 22:911–916.

14. Johansen A, Evans RJ, Stone MD, Richmond PW, Lo SV, Woodhouse KW. Fracture incidence in England and Wales: a study based on the population of Cardiff. Injury. 1997; 28:655–660.

15. Miller SW, Evans JG. Fractures of the distal forearm in Newcastle: an epidemiological survey. Age Ageing. 1985; 14:155–158.

16. Cummings SR, Melton LJ. Epidemiology and outcomes of osteoporotic fractures. Lancet. 2002; 359:1761–1767.

17. Rális ZA. Epidemic of fractures during period of snow and ice. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed). 1981; 282:603–605.

18. Avery JG. Fractures during ice and snow. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed). 1982; 284:270.

19. Meara J, Mant D, Marshall V. Epidemics of fractures during periods of snow or ice. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed). 1986; 293:883.

20. Nevitt MC, Cummings SR. Type of fall and risk of hip and wrist fractures: the study of osteoporotic fractures The Study of Osteoporotic Fractures Research Group. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1993; 41:1226–1234.

21. Broadbent MR, Quaba O, Hadjucka C, McQueen MM. The epidemiology of multifocal upper limb fractures. Scand J Surg. 2003; 92:220–223.