Short-Term Relationship between Hip Fracture and Weather Conditions in Two Spanish Health Areas with Different Climates

2014

Objective. To evaluate differences in the short-term relationship between weather conditions and the incidence of hip fracture in people aged 65 and over among two regions of Spain.Methods. Hip fracture incidence was calculated for the years 2000–2008 for residents of Health Area 14 in Valencian Community (Mediterranean climate) and the “Mancha Centro” Health Area in Castilla-La Mancha (inland climate), Spain. The relationship between hip fracture incidence and weather was analyzed with a case-crossover design and explored in subgroups defined by sex, age, and fracture type.Results. In the inland area, a positive and significant tendency for hip fracture incidence was observed (annual incre…