Comparison of life expectancy and loss of life expectancy in fall-risk populations with hip and vertebral fractures: A 10-year nationwide cohort study.

BACKGROUND

Hip fractures and vertebral fractures are significant public health concerns, causing substantial morbidity, mortality, and economic costs. Hip fractures often lead to mobility loss, while vertebral fractures, frequently underdiagnosed, can result in spinal deformities and recurrent fractures or subsequent injuries.

METHODS

This study identified hip and vertebral fractures using ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes in Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). It applied Kaplan-Meier and Monte Carlo methods to estimate survival functions, comparing outcomes with a reference population. Extrapolation beyond the follow-up period was done to calculate lifetime life expectancy.

RESULTS

The study included 214,077 hip fracture patients and 101,731 vertebral fracture patients. The average age was 77.1 for hip fractures and 73.4 for vertebral fractures, with women comprising the majority. For hip fractures, the estimated life expectancy (LE) was 7.9 years, while for vertebral fractures, it was 11.9 years. Patients with a history of stroke exhibited the greatest loss of life expectancy in both fracture cohorts.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the significant loss of life expectancy in stroke patients with hip fractures. It urges policymakers to prioritize prevention strategies and resource allocation to improve outcomes for high-risk populations.