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

Abstract

Purpose: Hip fractures are common orthopedic traumas and are known as a public health problem, especially in the elderly. Preventing fractures and determining risk factors are critical in reducing morbidity, mortality, and social and economic burden. This study aimed to investigate the social determinants affecting hip fractures. 
 Methods: This is a case-control study conducted with a case group of 108 (36.1%) patients and a control group of 191 (63.9%). The dependent variable of the study was hip fracture status. 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 were significantly different between the case and control groups. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of 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 aware of the importance of this issue and raise the awareness of elderly patients.

Evaluation of Foot and Ankle Trauma Registering to Emergency Department

“…[11][12][13] In a study from Turkey, it was stated that as a logical explanation for this, bone density decreases with age, and therefore the frequency of fractures may increase. 14 In a study conducted in Scotland, it was determined that even though the severity of the force causing the trauma was the same, the trauma severity scores of the elderly patients were higher than the young ones. The mention of the Scottish study can be taken as a second plausible explanation.…”