title: Elderly pelvic fractures: the incidence is increasing and patient demographics can be used to predict the outcome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To (1) to determine the incidence of elderly pelvic fractures over the last decade, (2) describe the epidemiology and outcome of patients with pubic rami fractures and compare these to those patients sustaining all other pelvic fractures, and (3) identify independent predictors of length of stay, return to domicile, and 1-year mortality for patients with pubic rami fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively identified 937 elderly patients (≥65 years) with pelvic fractures presenting to the study centre over a 15-year period. Patient demographics, mechanism of injury, and associated fractures were recorded for a defined 2-year period. Outcomes assessed were length of stay, return to original place of domicile, and 1-year mortality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence increased from 7.9 per 100,000 to 13.1 per 100,000. The majority were fragility fractures of the pubic rami (84%). Patients sustaining a pubic rami fracture were older, more likely to be female, less deprived and have sustained an isolated injury by a low-energy mechanism. Patients sustaining a pubic rami fracture were less likely to return to their original place of domicile. Pre-injury independence and mobility, socioeconomic status, associated fractures, energy of injury, and male gender were independent predictors of length of stay, return to original place of domicile, and 1-year mortality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The incidence of elderly pelvic fractures is increasing, and fractures of the pubic ramus have different patient demographics compared to other pelvic fractures. Patient demographics could be used to predict: length of stay, return to domicile, and 1-year mortality after a pubic rami fracture.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective prognostic study, Level IV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Little France, Edinburgh, EH16 4SA, UK, nickclement@doctors.org.uk.
authors.forename: Nicholas D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Clement
authors.forename: Charles M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Court-Brown
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome