Hospitalisations for fracture and associated costs between 2000 and 2009 in Ireland: a trend analysis

Abstract

In Ireland, the absolute numbers of hospitalisations for all osteoporotic-type fractures including hip fractures increased between 2000 and 2009 along with the mean length of stay. The cost of hospitalisations for these fractures also increased between 2003 and 2008. The purposes of the study were to carry out a trend analyses of the total number of osteoporotic-type fractures in males and females aged 50 years and over in Ireland between 2000 and 2009 and to project the number of osteoporotic-type fractures in the Republic of Ireland expected by 2025. Age- and gender-specific trends in the absolute numbers and direct age-standardised rates of hospitalisations for all osteoporotic-type fractures in men and women ≥ 50 years were analysed, along with the associated hospitalisation costs and length of stay using the Hospital In-Patient Enquiry system database. Future projections of absolute numbers of osteoporotic-type fractures in years 2015, 2020 and 2025 were computed based on the 2009 incidence rates applied to the projected populations. Between 2000 and 2009, the absolute numbers of all osteoporotic-type fractures increased by 12 % in females and by 15 % in males while the absolute numbers of hip fractures increased by 7 % in women and by 20 % in men. The age-specific rates for hip fractures decreased in all age groups with the exception of the 55-59-year age group which showed an increase of 4.1 % (p = 0.023) within the study period. The associated hospitalisation costs and length of stay increased. Assuming stable age-standardised incidence rates from 2009 over the next 20 years, the number of all types of osteoporotic-type fractures is projected to increase by 79 % and the number of hip fractures is expected to increase by 88 % by 2025. Hospitalisations for osteoporotic-type fractures continued to increase in Ireland. Hip fractures increased by 7 % in women and 20 % in men.