Epidemiological analysis of adult pilon fractures in the Third Affiliated Hospital to Hebei Medical University from 2003 through 2012

Abstract

Objective To investigate the epidemiological features and trends of adult pilon fractures in the Third Affiliated Hospital to Hebei Medical University from 2003 through 2012. Methods The data of adult pilon fractures treated between January 2003 and December 2012 at our hospital were analyzed retrospectively. The patients' gender, age, age distribution and type of Ruedi-Allgower classification were documented. The data between January 2003 and December 2007 were classified as group A while the data between January 2008 and December 2012 were designed to group B. Comparisons were conducted between the 2 groups to find out the general epidemiological characteristics and trends of adult pilon fractures during the 10 years. Results A total of 784 adult pilon fractures were collected, accounting for 4.25% (784/18, 432) of the tibial and fibular fractures and 0.73% (784/107, 648) of systemic fractures in adults at the same period. The fractures involved 621 males and 163 females, giving a male/female ratio of 3.81: 1. The peak age of pilon fractures ranged from 41 to 50 years (27.42%). Their high-risk type was Riiedi-Allgower type I (36.35%). There were 330 cases in group A, with a male/female ratio of 4.32:1 and a mean age of 39.8±14.2 years. There were 454 cases in group B, with a male/female ratio of 3.50: 1 and a mean age of 40.6±13.6 years. There was no statistically significant difference in male/female ratio or mean age between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). The proportions of patients with 21 to 30 years old and 41 to 50 years old and type I in group B were significantly higher than in group A (P < 0.05), and the proportions of patients with 31 to 40 years old and type II in group B were significantly lower than in group A (P < 0.05). Conclusions In the Third Affiliated Hospital to Hebei Medical University from 2003 through 2012, adult pilon fractures accounted for 4.25% of adult tibial and fibular fractures and 0.73% of adult systemic fractures. Male patients were more common than female ones. The peak age ranged between 41 and 50 years. Ruedi-Allgower type I was the most common. Compared with the first 5 years, the second 5 years witnessed increased proportions of patients with 21 to 30 years old and 41 to 50 years old and type I but decreased proportions of patients with 31 to 40 years old and type Ⅱ. Key words: Tibial fractures; Epidemiology; Adult