Lack of Post-Fracture Treatment and Rising Incidence Threaten the Global Hip Fracture Epidemic

According to a recent study, hip fracture prevalence is declining in various countries and regions worldwide. By 2050, the total number of hip fractures is estimated to nearly double compared to 2018.

An international team of researchers analyzed hip fracture incidence, post-fracture treatment, and all-cause mortality across 19 countries and five regions from 2005 to 2018.

The findings, published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, revealed significant declines in sex, and age, standardized incidence rates in Denmark (‐2.8% per year), Singapore (‐2.8%), and Hong Kong (‐2.4%). Conversely, the Netherlands (+2.1%) and South Korea (+1.2%) experienced the greatest increases.

The study discovered a lack of post-fracture preventive treatment for osteoporosis in all countries and regions, particularly among men. Within one year after a hip fracture, post-fracture treatment varied from 11% in Germany to 50% in the United Kingdom.

Men displayed lower usage of anti-osteoporosis medication and higher rates of all-cause mortality associated with their fractures.

By 2050, the number of hip fractures worldwide is projected to soar, with men experiencing a larger increase in the projected number of fractures. These estimates were based on incidence rate trends and World Bank data.

Professor Cyrus Cooper, president of the International Osteoporosis Foundation and co-author of the study, emphasized the urgent need for hip fracture prevention and care improvements.

He found the lack of osteoporosis treatment unacceptable and stated, “This should be seen as both a warning and a call to action for healthcare systems worldwide.”

Cooper further recommended prioritizing implementing post-fracture care coordination programs like the Fracture Liaison Service offered by the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation, currently available in the United States.

“Ensuring the availability of high-quality long-term care is essential, as it directly impacts the recovery, well-being, and overall outcomes of individuals who have experienced hip fractures,” – Joe Kubulak, Chief Operating Officer at SpecialtyRx.