Pelvic Fractures-An Underestimated Problem? Incidence and Mortality Risk after Pelvic Fracture in Austria, 2010-2018

(1) Background: Pelvic fractures (PFs) are related to osteoporosis, and represent a serious individual and socioeconomic burden. (2) Methods: We examined age- and sex-standardised incidence rates (SIRs) of PF, along with rates of all-cause overall and one-year mortality among patients with PF. We compared the mortality rates between PF patients and a matched fracture-free cohort. Patients >= 50 years old in Austria hospitalised with PF in 2010-2018, along with their dates of death, were recorded. (3) Results: We identified 54,975 patients with PF, of whom 70.9% were women. Between 2010 and 2018 the SIR of PF increased in men by 10.0%-from 125.3 (95% Confidence Interval 118.9-132.0) to 137.8 (95% CI 131.8-144.0) per 100,000-and in women by 2.7%-from 218.7 (95% CI 212.0-225.6) to 224.7 (95% CI 218.3-231.3) per 100,000. The one-year post-PF mortality rate was higher in men than in women (13.0% and 11.1%, respectively; p < 0.001). Pelvic fracture patients aged >= 65 had an elevated mortality risk (Hazard Ratio 1.75, 95% CI 1.71-1.79, p < 0.001) compared to controls. (4) Conclusions: There is a clear increase in the incidence of PF in the elderly population, with a greater increase in men over time. Pelvic fracture itself contributes to increased mortality in individuals aged 65 and above.

Automated summary

Pelvic fractures are increasingly common in the elderly population, with a greater increase observed in men. Pelvic fracture itself contributes to higher mortality in individuals aged 65 and above.