Epidemiological survey of ulna and radius fractures in the rainy and snowy weather in the Third Affiliated Hospital to Hebei Medical University from January 2011 to August 2013

Abstract

Objective To investigate the epidemiological features of ulna and radius fractures in the rainy and snowy weather in the Shijiazhuang area from January 2011 to August 2013. Methods The data of human fractures were collected which were treated between January 2011 and August 2013 at the Third Affiliated Hospital to Hebei Medical University. The ulna and radius fractures were selected. Those treated in the rainy and snowy weather were classified as group A while those in the dry weather as group B. Comparisons were made between the 2 groups in terms of gender, age, fracture site, AO/OTA, Colles and Smith classifications, and proportions of ulna and radius fractures to find out their epidemiological features. Results A total of 24, 997 human fractures were collected. A total of 3,944 ulna and radius fractures were selected, involving 2,097 left sides and 1,847 right sides, with a male/female ratio of 1.11: 1 and an average age of 40.2 years. The predominant age of the ulna and radius fractures was from 51 to 60 years. There were more female patients than the male ones in the age groups of more than 50 years. The fracture sites were mostly at the distal ends (65.16%,2,570/3,944). Colles fractures accounted for 38.15% (1, 505/3,944) while Smith fractures 4.74% (187/3,944). There were 971 cases in group A (with a male/female ratio of 0.99:1) and 2,973 in group B (with a male/female ratio of 1.15: 1) . The average age of group A (41.5 ±21.8 years) was significantly older than in group B (39.8 ± 22.8 years) (t = 2.144, P = 0.032). The peak age of the ulna and radius fractures was from 51 to 60 years in both groups. The proportion of the patients of 51 to 60 years old was significantly higher and the proportion of the patients of 11 to 20 years old significantly lower in group A than in group B (P < 0.05). The predominant type of the distal ulna and radius fractures was type 23-A in both groups while the predominant sub-type was 23-A2. Conclusions In the Shijiazhuang area from January 2011 to August 2013, ulna and radius fractures happened more likely in the rainy and snowy weather. There were more female and older victims than the male and younger ones. Key words: Ulna fractures; Radius fractures; Epidemiology studies; Small-area analysis