Epidemiology and treatment of distal radius fractures in Reykjavik, Iceland, in 2004: Comparison with an Icelandic study from 1985

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Recent literature suggests that the incidence and treatment modalities of distal radius fractures have been changing over the past 2 decades in the developed world. We examined the epidemiology of adult distal radius fractures in Iceland in 2004 and compared it with an Icelandic study from 1985 and other studies. METHODS: A retrospective study of the epidemiology, classification, and treatment of distal radius fractures in Reykjavik residents aged 16 and older in 2004 was conducted by analysis of medical records and re-evaluation of all radiographic examinations. RESULTS: The 228 fractures included in our material yielded an overall annual incidence of 17/10(4) in men and 37/10(4) in women. Age-specific incidence rose steadily with age in both sexes. One third of the fractures were intraarticular, and working-age men accounted for a large proportion of them. 95% of fractures were treated nonoperatively. INTERPRETATION: The annual incidence of distal radius fractures was similar in 1985 and 2004. However, age-specific incidence in younger postmenopausal women decreased sharply. This trend has also been observed in recent Scandinavian studies. Most fractures were treated nonoperatively in Iceland in 2004.