The Epidemiology of Fractures Caused by Falls Down Stairs

Table 3

Fracture types from falls down stairs or standing in those of 65 yrs or older.

Fracture type	Falls down stairs		Falls from standing		Odds ratio	P value (chi-sq)
	(n)	(%)	(n)	(%)
Upper limb
Clavicle	4	4.3	50	2.3	1.9	0.2
Scapula	4	4.3	11	0.5	9.0	0.002
Proximal humerus	7	7.5	290	13.1	0.5	0.2
Humeral diaphysis	1	1.1	22	1	1.1	0.2
Proximal radius	2	2.1	36	1.6	1.3	0.4
Proximal ulna	4	4.3	26	1.2	3.8	0.03
Ulnar diaphysis	2	2.1	3	0.1	16.2	0.01
Distal radius/ulna	20	21.5	480	21.7	1.0	1
Metacarpus	2	2.1	43	1.9	1.1	0.7
Finger phalanges	3	3.2	65	2.9	1.1	0.5
Lower limb
Pelvis	4	4.3	75	3.4	1.3	0.6
Proximal femur	16	17.2	707	31.9	0.4	0.004
Femoral diaphysis	3	3.2	54	2.4	1.3	0.5
Patella	1	1.1	23	1	1.0	1
Proximal tibia	2	2.1	22	1	2.2	0.25
Ankle	17	18.3	127	5.7	3.7	<0.001
Calcaneus	1	1.1	2	0.1	12.0	0.004

The number (n) and frequency (%) of upper and lower limb fracture types encountered in Edinburgh adults (65 yrs old or greater) and resulting from falls down stairs or falls from standing height are shown. Calculated odds ratios (with P values, chi-square tests) represent the likelihood of a given fracture type resulting from a fall down stairs, rather than a fall from standing. Odds ratios in bold type reflect those demonstrating either statistical significance or a trend towards significance.