The influence of outside temperature and season on the incidence of hip fractures in patients over the age of 65.
BACKGROUND
It is often assumed that hip fractures occur more commonly in winter, but the evidence is conflicting. It is important to clarify this issue to aid planning of health resources and understanding of the aetiology of these fractures in the elderly.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the incidence of fractures altered with the daily temperature, seasons or months of the year.


METHODS
Over a five-year period we studied 818 patients, over the age of 65, who presented to one district general hospital with a fracture of the proximal femur.


RESULTS
No significant difference was found in the incidence of fractures with different temperatures, changes of temperature, season or month of the year. Also, there was no significant difference in the characteristics of patients (age, sex, pre-injury mobility, residence, functional and mental scores) presenting in different seasons or temperature ranges. Patients presenting in winter months had a significantly longer inpatient stay, which may have been due to the strain on the social services over this time.


CONCLUSIONS
Other factors must be analysed when considering the aetiology of hip fractures in the elderly. There may be no extra demand on surgical facilities or other acute resources to treat hip fractures during the winter months in southern England.
Chesser
Timothy J S
TJ
Department of Orthopaedics, Frenchay Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust, Frenchay, Bristol BS16 1LE, UK. tim.chesser@north-bristol.swest.nhs.uk
Howlett
Isobel
I
Ward
Anthony J
AJ
Pounsford
John C
JC
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012621:Seasons; D013696:Temperature; D014887:Weather