Social Determinants of Hip Fractures in Elderly Patients–A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Aim: Hip fractures are common orthopedic traumas and are known as a problem in terms of public health, particularly among the elderly. Preventing fractures and determining risk factors are critical in reducing morbidity, mortality, and social and economic burden. The purpose of this study was to examine the social determinants affecting hip fractures. 
 Material and Methods: This case-control study was conducted with a case group of 108 (36.1%) patients and a control group of 191 (63.9%). Hip fracture status was selected as the dependent variable in the study. The independent variables were marital status, place of residence, single-story or multi-story residence, use of stairs, use of assistive devices, cohabitants, working status, chronic disease status, education status, fixed income status, health insurance, family history of hip fractures, fractures in the last five years, getting help in daily work, smoking, fear of falling, and perception of general health status.
 Results: Marital status, cohabitants, chronic disease status, having a fixed income, having health insurance, fear of falling, and perception of general health differed to a significant extent between the case and control groups. Nonetheless, no statistically significant difference was found between the groups regarding their places of residence, living in whether single-story or multi-story residences, the use of stairs, assistive device usage, active employment status, education status, family history of hip fractures, fractures in the last five years, getting help in daily work, and smoking.
 Conclusion: Social factors affect the risk of hip fracture. Clinicians should be alert to the importance of this issue and raise the awareness of elderly patients.