Increased incidence of primary total hip replacement in rural communities.

Abstract

Previous studies of the incidence of total hip replacement operations have been based on large heterogeneous populations.1 From crude data based on large geographic areas, an increased incidence has been suggested in rural populations of Scotland. However, the population distribution within these areas might alter the significance of these results.2 We used the smallest geographical areas for which reliable population data were available to determine the incidence of total hip replacement in urban and rural populations. Using data from operating theatre registers and the Scottish Morbidity Record, we identified 2053 patients who had undergone a primary total hip arthroplasty between 1 September 1991 and 28 February 1993 in the 16 hospitals in the west of Scotland that performed such surgery. Reasons for surgery …