Trends in emergency department visits for fall-related fractures in U.S. older adults, 2001- 2020

Abstract

The present study analysed data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System All Injury Programme to examine trends in emergency department visits (EDs) for fall-related fractures in adults aged 65 years or older between 2001 and 2020. Overall, the estimated number of ED’s visits for fall-related fractures increased from 574 000 in 2001 to 9 84 000 in 2020. After adjusting for age, fall-related fracture rates increased annually by 1.1% (95% CI: 0.4%, 1.7%) in women and by 1.3% (95% CI: 0.4%, 2.2%) in men between 2001 and 2012. Moreover, a non-significant increase in fracture rates was seen in both sexes between 2012 and 2016. From 2016 onward, fracture rates decreased annually in women by −5.0% (95% CI: −7.9%, −2.0%) and did not significantly change in men. This downward trend was mostly attributed to a decrease in fall-related fractures of the arm/hand, lower trunk, and among subjects aged 75 years and older. Therefore, it appears that fall-related fracture rates have recently decreased in U.S. older women.