Summary

In the period from 2000 to 2009 we evaluated the incidence of hip fractures in the German population. This data was taken out of the register of the Federal Statistical Office. In addition to an analysis of the total population we analyzed the risk group of patients with osteoporosis. Moreover this group was split into three subgroups: GroupI 50–64 years of age, GroupII 65–79 years of age, Group III >80years of age. In the period of analysis the overall number of hip fractures increased from 104886 to 122307 at +16, 6%. This increase in the number of hip fractures only occurred in the risk group with osteoporosis, particulary in men. In Germany we can also notice the decreasing trend in the incidence of hip fractures, in relation to the total population, which has been described in North America or Scandinavia. Especially there is a notable decrease in the incidence of hip fractures in the group of women 65–79 years of age after 2004 (~–8,1%). It needs to be further investigated whether this trend is a result of the implementation of the German osteoporosis guidelines from the umbrella organization of osteoporosis (DVO) in daily practice. In conclusion, when comparing the incidence of hip fractures between countries, it should be adjusted for population changes, age and gender.