Article

Previous national epidemiological data on the
characteristics and trends of patients with ankle fractures have been limited. We
therefore analyzed data on Swedish inpatients with ankle fractures in this
nationwide population study, based on data from 1987 through 2004.
METHODS: Data on all inpatients aged 15 years and older with ankle fracture were
extracted from the Swedish National Patient Register for the period 1987-2004.
RESULTS: We identified 91,410 hospital admissions with ankle fracture,
corresponding to an annual incidence rate of 71 per 10(5) person-years. During
the study period, the number of hospital admissions increased by 0.2% annually,
mainly from increase in fracture incidence in the elderly women. Mean age at
admission was 45 (SD 19) years for men and 58 (18) for women. The major mechanism
of injury was falling at the same level (64%). INTERPRETATION: This nationwide
study of inpatients with ankle fractures showed an increase in fracture incidence, particularly in elderly women.

Langue : ANGLAIS