英文摘要 |
The study aims to investigate the hospitalization trends in hip, vertebral, and upper extremity (including humeral, radial and ulnar) fractures from 1998 through 2010. The study utilizes National Health Insurance (NHI) statistical data released by the Department of Health, Taiwan. Patients (both man and women) aged 50 years and above, hospitalized during the 13 year study periods for the related fractures (according to the International Classification of Disease, Clinical Modification 9th version) were included. Age and gender specified hospitalization rate and number were calculated. The results showed that the hospitalization rates per 10,000 people for both hip and vertebral fractures decreased with time, (hip fractures decrease in a rate of 0.3-1.8% per year, and vertebral fractures decrease in a rate of 7.8-12.6% per year, respectively) but the upper extremity fracture hospitalization rates increased with time (in a rate of 0.5-2.1% per year). However, only the number of hospitalization for vertebral fracture decreased, while the number of hospitalization for both hip and upper extremity fractures increased over the 13-year period. The reasons behind the observed trends are unclear. Further study with individual level NHI data is needed to evaluate the factors associated with the trends in these fractures. |