This prospective study conducted to estimate incidence of hip fracture among persons over 50 years of age, in Jeju island, Korea during the year 2002.

Patients over 50 years of age who lived in Jeju island and sustained a femoral neck or intertrochanteric fracture during the year 2002 (from January 1st 2002 to December 31th 2002) were investigated. The information collected from the hospital records for each patient included age, sex, the nature of injury, the day of injury, location, the method of treatment, and the degree of osteoporosis. The population figures were derived from the National Statistical Office.

There were 151 fractures of the neck or intertrochanteric region of the femur (36 in men, 115 in women) in population over 50 years of age. The incidence was 12.8/10, 000 for total patients (7.3/10, 000 for men, 16.8/10, 000 for women). The standardized incidence rate against the 1985 U.S. population was 119/100, 000 for men and 187/100, 000 population for women. The incidence rate showed seasonal variations, being highest in fall. The mean age of patients was 77.1 years (range 50 -98 years). The most common cause of injury was a simple fall (131/151, 86.8%). There were 92 (60.9%) fractures of the neck and 59 (39.1%) of the intertrochanteric fracture. One hundred twenty six patients (83.4%) showed definite osteoporosis (Singh index, Grade I-III).

The incidence rate of hip fracture increased 3.8 times in 2002 data (12.8/10, 000) in Jeju island when compared with 1991 data (3.4/10, 000) in Honam area. To have more accurate trend and estimate of incidence rate of osteoporotic fractures in the elderly, further longitudinal study need to be conducted.