The annual incidence and seasonal variation of fractures of the distal radius in men and women over 25 years in Dorset, UK.

Adults who suffer fractures of the distal radius are at increased risk of further osteoporosis related fractures and represent a high-risk group in whom therapies are available to reduce the risk. We have undertaken a prospective study of distal radius fracture patients over the age of 25 years to establish the extent of the problem in Dorset. All patients presenting with any forearm fracture to hospitals serving Dorset residents during 1 year were identified. Fracture type was assessed following scrutiny of the hospital notes. Analysis included calculation of rates per 10,000 population using Dorset Health Authority population estimates and seasonal variation. Ninety-six percent of all patients presented to three of the seven hospitals. One thousand six hundred and eighty-eight individuals with a diagnosis of forearm fracture were identified but only 1300 had a fracture of the distal radius. There was a female:male ratio of 3.9:1. In women, the incidence of distal radius fracture rose from a premenopausal baseline of 10 per 10,000 population per year to a peak of 120 per 10,000 population per year over 85 years. In men, the fracture incidence gradually increased from 10 per 10,000 before 65 years to 33 per 10,000 after 85 years. There was a detectable seasonal variation. Our data are in keeping with recent surveys in Europe and suggest that a change in the incidence of fracture of the distal radius with age has occurred over the last 30 years.