Epidemiology and secular trends of pelvic fractures in Belgium: A retrospective, population-based, nationwide observational study

Introduction: Fractures of the pelvis and acetabulum are associated with osteoporosis, and their incidence is rising in older adults. In the last decade an increasing number of these fractures are being operated in older patients in certain regions. The goal of this study was to describe the incidence of pelvic and acetabular fractures in Belgium between 1988 and 2018. Materials & methods: This retrospective, nationwide, population-based study was conducted with the help of the national health insurance database from the Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (NIHDI-RIZIV-INAMI). Multiple codes for the reimbursement of the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic and acetabular fractures were collated and (since 2006) linked to the patients' age group, sex and region. Results: Between 1988 and 2018, 91.317 pelvic and acetabular fractures were diagnosed. The overall incidence increased from 15,8/100.000 persons per year in 1988 to 29,7/100.000 persons per year in 2006 and to 37,6/ 100.000 persons per year in 2018. These fractures showed a bimodal incidence, with a small peak in children (particularly boys), and an increasing incidence in older adults, particularly in women. Between 2006 and 2018, 5.957 (12,4%) patients underwent surgical treatment for their pelvic fracture. 2.088 patients underwent an osteosynthesis of the acetabulum and 3869 patients underwent an osteosynthesis of the pelvic ring. There were 3622 osteosynthesises (60.8%) in patients younger than 60 years old and 2335 (39,1%) in patients over 60 years old. Conclusion: There is an increasing incidence of pelvic and acetabular fractures in Belgium with the majority of these fractures occurring in older people. Younger adults have the highest proportion of surgical treatment, but given the much higher incidence in older adults, there is a considerable amount of operations in older adults too.

Automated summary

The study in Belgium from 1988 to 2018 showed an increasing incidence of pelvic and acetabular fractures, with the majority occurring in older adults. Surgical treatment is more common in younger adults, but a significant number of operations are also performed in older adults due to the higher incidence in that age group.