Influence of age and place of fall on the risk of hip fracture in older adults

Hip fractures in older adults are a significant health issue, linked to high mortality, disability, and socioeconomic costs. This study examined the effects of age and place of injury on hip fractures from falls in older adults using data from the Emergency Department-based Injury In-Depth Surveillance (EDIIS) database in South Korea. Patients aged 65 years or older who visited 23 emergency departments from 2011 to 2020 were included. Among 170,095 older adults who visited the ED after a fall, the percentage diagnosed with a hip fracture increased with age, with the highest percentage observed in those aged 85 and older. Hip fractures were more common in women than in men across all age groups. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) showed higher fracture risks with age: 2.45 (95% CI, 2.37-2.53) for ages 75 to 84 and 4.24 (95% CI, 4.09-4.40) for those aged 85 years and older. The odds of experiencing a hip fracture were highest in medical facilities (aOR 1.6, 95% CI, 1.51-1.70), followed by nursing homes (aOR 1.21, 95% CI, 1.11-1.30), compared to homes. Findings suggest the importance of prioritizing fall-prevention programs in settings such as nursing homes and medical facilities, where hip fractures were more commonly observed.