Epidemiology of hip fracture in Japan: incidence and risk factors

Abstract

Hip fracture is the most serious complication of osteoporosis and has been recognized as a major public health problem. The prevention of hip fractures is an high-priority issue because of the rapid increase of the number of elderly people in Japan. The General Research Committee for the Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis in Silver Health Science Researches sponsored by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (Director, Hajime Orimo) first undertook a nationwide survey of femoral neck fracture in 1987. This nationwide survey has been continued every 5 years, in 1992, 1997, and 2002. The total number of new cases was nearly 120,000 in the latest survey, and has been rising in every survey. Total number of new cases was about 1.4 times the baseline 1987 figures in 1992, 1.7 times in 1997, and 2.2 times in 2002. The total number of new female patients was about three times higher than that of new male patients, a finding identical to those of the previous surveys. The incidences of hip fracture (per 10,000) according to sex and age was increased in both men and women, particularly among individuals 80 years old or over. The Epidemiological Research Group on Osteoporosis, Ministry of Health and Welfare (Chairman; Hajime Orimo) undertook a nation-wide case-control study to clarify the risk factors for hip fractures among Japanese in 1994. Cases of hip fracture in people aged 65-89 were selected from 21 hospitals in seven areas of Japan. Two sex- and age-matched controls were selected from the same residential area for each case using resident registration lists. During this 1-year survey, 249 cases of hip fractures (43 men and 206 women) were reported. The following risk factors for hip fractures were identified using multivariate analysis: past history of stroke with hemiplegia, sleep disturbance, sleeping in a Western-style bed, and drinking more than 3 cups of coffee daily.

Profile of Hospitalized Elderly Patients Treated for Falling

“…Another report from Japan declared that more than 40% of falls among the elderly caused fractures 23 . Our results revealed that most hospitalizations of elderly falling were treated by the orthopedics department (60%), and 65% of elderly individuals who were hospitalized for falling were diagnosed with fractures.…”

Relation of Bone Mineral Density to Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphism and Lifestyle Factors in Japanese Female Workers Aged 22-44 Years: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…In Japan, prevention of osteoporosis is a high-priority issue because osteoporotic fracture is one of the primary causes of elderly persons becoming bedridden ( 1 ). Measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) is the best tool available to assess osteoporotic fracture risk, since low BMD is an important risk factor for osteoporotic fracture ( 2 ).…”

Hip structure analysis by DXA of teriparatide treatment: A 24-month follow-up clinical study

“…In Japanese women, hip fracture has been increasing every year and is affecting younger women. 18 Our results suggest that researchers should investigate methods of strengthening bone structures in the hip during TPTD treatment lasting more than 18 months. In previous reports, the efficacy of TPTD was indicated, particularly for increasing BMD.…”