Secular change of the incidence of four fracture types associated with senile osteoporosis in Sado, Japan: the results of a 3-year survey.

We conducted a three-year survey of fracture incidences associated with senile osteoporosis--compression fractures of the spine, femoral neck fractures, distal radius fractures, and fractures of the proximal end of the humerus--to examine secular change. The survey was conducted between 2004 and 2006 on patients in Sado City. We calculated the incidence of each fracture based on the population of Sado City (per 100,000 person-years). Only clinical or incident fractures were diagnosed as new fractures for compression fractures of the spine. Incidence of compression fracture of the spine was the highest, followed by femoral neck fracture, distal radius fracture, and fracture of the proximal end of the humerus. The incidence of femoral neck fracture increased annually from 2004 to 2006, significantly among the elderly in their 80s (P < 0.05). Compression fracture of the spine also increased but not significantly. The incidences of distal radius fracture and fracture of the proximal end of the humerus did not increase. This increase in incidence of femoral neck fractures associated with senile osteoporosis will become an important issue for an aging society such as Japan.