A population study to identify fracture risk in Liverpool, England

BACKGROUND: Fractures are in most cases treated by Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments and they have a substantial financial impact on health budgets. The epidemiology of fractures in the Liverpool city region has not been systematically investigated in recent years. This study aims to address this issue by providing valuable data that could aid in the design of fracture prevention strategies.

METHODS: Population fracture data was collected by the Liverpool Primary Care Trust between February 2009 and July 2010, accounting for the majority of fractures registered in the city. The data was sorted by type, age, sex and upper/lower body in order to observe patterns in different groups.

RESULTS: The data highlighted a significant difference between the sexes where anatomical sites varied greatly. Females suffer from fractures of the femur and the arm bones in a higher frequency, while males exhibit their highest fracture rates in the femur, lower arm and hand and craniofacial regions. Women also tend to have fractures later in life while most men fracture bones earlier.

CONCLUSION: This finding corresponds with numerous sources in the medical literature. The present work supports the development of strategies designed to reduce fractures in specific age groups.