| 1. Analysis of trends in hospitalised pelvic fractures in older persons in NSW over the past decade
Centre Investigators
Soufiane Boufous, Caroline Finch
Collaborators
Stephen Lord (Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute), Jacqueline Close (Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute)
Summary
Despite their significant health burden, epidemiological information regarding pelvic fractures is scarce. This study examinded trends in admission for pelvic fractures to acute hospitals in New South Wales, Australia, between July 1998 and June 2000. Over this period, both the number of admissions and age-specific rates of admissions, for pelvic fracture among those aged 50+ aged years were found to have incresd in both men and women. Whilst the number and proportion of transport related pelvic fractures declined, those associated with falls increased significantly over the 12-year-period. Falls are increasingly becoming the single most important cause of pelvic injuries in older people, suggesting that preventive measures aimed at reducing the risk of falls need to be pursued.
2. The epidemiology of hospitalised wrist fractures in older people, New South Wales, Australia
Centre Investigators
Soufiane Boufous, Caroline Finch
Collaborators
Stephen Lord (Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute), Jacqueline Close (Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute), Todd Gothelf (Prince of Wales Hospital), Bill Walsh (Surgical Training and Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Prince of Wales Hospital)
Summary
Wrist fractures are a common injury in older people. The epidemiology and trends in wrist fracture admissions to public and private acute hospitals in New South Wales, Australia, between July 1993 and June 2003, were examined using routinely collected hospital separations statistics. Over the study period, the number of hospital separations for wrist fractures increase in both men and women. A significant increase in age-specific and age-standardised hospitalisation rates for wrist fractures was also observed. While the majority of wrist fractures were due to falls, the proportion of falls-related wrist fractures decreased significantly over time. This decrease was more pronounced in males and was accompanied by a rise in proportion of wrist fractures resulting from high energy mechanisms such as transport, violence and machinery-related incidents. The difference in hospitalised wrist fractures between men and women could not be explained solely on the basis of the role played by osteoporosis, indicating the need for more research to improve our understanding of the underlying factors of this type of fracture in older people.
3. Development of falls injury risk projection, indicators and an evaluation plan
Centre Investigators
Caroline Finch, Annaliese Dowling
Summary
The aim of this project was to provide falls injury risk projection estimates and other indicators against which NSW Health could monitor the impact of its Falls Policy. An update of falls research occurring in Australia and a five year Australian literature review was prepared and disseminated. A three-year research strategy highlighting research prioritites was also developed for NSW Health. NSW Fall Injury Indicators were developed to track the trends in the incidence of fall injuries in people over 65 years of age. These indicators have been designed to be used at the Area Health Service and State levels.
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