The prevalence of osteoporotic fractures in the elderly in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Shilong Meng, Minghao Tong, Yang Yu, Yanguang Cao, Binbin Tang, Xiaolin Shi, Kang Liu

Journal: Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research 2023;18(1):536

PMID: 37501170

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Plain Language Summary

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disorder characterised by bone fragility due to reduced bone strength. The risk of osteoporotic fractures attributed to bone fragility escalates among elderly individuals and postmenopausal women. This systematic review and meta-analysis encompassed 29 studies evaluating the epidemiology of osteoporotic fractures in Chinese elderly people aged over 60. The findings of this study showed that within the same age group, the prevalence of osteoporotic fractures was high in women. Moreover, the prevalence of osteoporotic fractures increases with age, with patients over 80 years old having the highest prevalence rate. Northern China exhibited the highest prevalence of osteoporotic fractures. Osteoporotic fractures most commonly occur in the spine, hip, and distal forearm. Healthcare professionals can use the findings of this research to understand the prevalence of osteoporotic fractures in elderly people. The information may help with the timely prevention or treatment of osteoporotic fractures. However, further robust studies are required due to the high heterogeneity between the included studies.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Prevalence information is the first step in developing preventive procedures or health services. This study was conducted to systematically evaluate the epidemiology of osteoporotic fractures in Chinese elderly aged ≥ 60 years and to provide evidence-based evidence for the prevention and treatment of osteoporotic fractures.

METHODS

We identified relevant studies by searching the literature published in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang Data, and VIP databases from the establishment of the database until August 2022. We used a random-effects model to obtain prevalence estimates and identified sources of heterogeneity and comparisons of prevalence among different groups through subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 29 articles were included in this study, and the prevalence of osteoporosis fractures in elderly Chinese was high (18.9%). The prevalence has increased significantly over the past decade (from 13.2% in 2000-2010 to 22.7% in 2012-2022). The prevalence of osteoporosis is higher in women than in men (18.5% vs 14.3%) and increases with age. The northern region was higher than the southern region (20.3% vs 18.9%), and the spine, hip, and distal forearm were the most common sites of fracture.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of osteoporotic fractures in the Chinese elderly is 18.9%, and timely prevention and treatment are necessary.

Address: The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.; Orthopedic Traumatology II, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.; The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. [email protected].; Orthopedic Traumatology II, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China. [email protected].

DOI: 10.1186/s13018-023-04030-x