Characteristics of distal radius fractures in east China-an observational cohort study of 1954 individual fractures

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics and seasonal patterns of distal radius fractures (DRFs) over the preceding five years, with the aim of establishing a clinical foundation for the prevention and management of such fractures within this region. METHODS: Utilizing the Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS), the clinical records of 1954 patients diagnosed with DRFs and admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University between January 2017 and December 2021 were compiled. The analysis encompassed factors such as age, gender, visitation timing, fracture side, and presence of osteoporosis. RESULTS: Out of the total 1954 distal radius fractures, 731 were males (37.4%) and the male to female ratio was 0.59:1. The median age of patients with DRFs was 56 years, with the 25th percentile being 38 years and the 75th percentile being 67 years. The average age was 50 years (standard deviation 23.3) and 1033 cases (52.7%) occurred on the left side, 885 cases (45.1%) on the right side, and 36 cases (1.8%) were bilateral, with the left side being the most frequently affected. The age group of 61–70 years (23.9%, 467/1954) exhibited the highest proportion, and the most prominent age group for males was 11–20 years (23.8%, 174/731), whereas for females it was 61–70 years (30.83%, 377/1223). In the 50 years and older group, there were 276 males and 991 females (ratio 1:3.59), with osteoporosis in 536 cases, accounting for 42.03% of the group. In terms of seasonal distribution, the highest incidence occurred during the summer and autumn months (55.1%, 1076/1954) and there were gender differences in different seasons. CONCLUSION: In east China, DRFs were predominantly female and left-sided, with the highest proportion in the age group of 61–70 years and in summer and autumn. Furthermore, gender differences were observed between the warm and cold seasons.