Epidemiology of hip fracture in Qatar and development of a country specific FRAX model

Summary

Hip fracture data were retrieved from electronical medical records for the years 2017–2019 in the State of Qatar and used to create a FRAX® model to facilitate fracture risk assessment. Hip fracture rates were comparable with estimates from Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, and Kuwait but fracture probabilities varied due to differences in mortality.

Objective

This paper describes the epidemiology of osteoporotic fractures in the State of Qatar that was used to develop the country-specific fracture prediction FRAX® tool.

Methods

Hip fracture data were retrieved from electronic medical records for the years 2017–2019 in the State of Qatar. The age and sex specific incidence of hip fracture in Qatari residents and national mortality rates were used to create a FRAX® model. Fracture probabilities were compared with those from neighboring countries having FRAX models.

Results

Hip fracture rates were comparable with estimates from Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi and Kuwait. In contrast, probabilities of a major osteoporotic fracture or hip fracture were lower in Qatar than in Kuwait but higher than those in Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia due to differences in mortality.

Conclusion

The FRAX model should enhance accuracy of determining fracture probability among the Qatari population and help guide decisions about treatment.