Contribution of weather to the seasonality of distal forearm fractures: a population-based study in Rochester, Minnesota.
Distal forearm fractures due to falls were more frequent in the winter (p < 0.0001) among Rochester men and women 35 years of age or older in 1952-89. The winter excess was partially explained by a greater relative risk of distal forearm fractures on days with freezing rain (1.65; 95% CI 1.28-2.13) or snow (1.42; 95% CI 1.17-1.74) among women under 65 years of age and on days with freezing rain (1.63; 95% CI 1.23-2.17) among older women. The greater seasonality of forearm compared with hip fractures is explained by the fact that more of them occur out-of-doors. However, residual effects of season after adjusting for daily weather conditions suggest that other factors may play a role.
Jacobsen
S J
SJ
Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
Sargent
D J
DJ
Atkinson
E J
EJ
O'Fallon
W M
WM
Melton
L J
LJ
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005543:Forearm Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008910:Minnesota / Q000453:epidemiology; D012621:Seasons; D014887:Weather