BACKGROUND

To analyse the epidemiological characteristics of orthopaedic trauma patients and thereby optimize healthcare resource allocation and improve treatment efficiency.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Relying on the hospital information system (HIS) database, we retrospectively analysed the epidemiological characteristics of orthopaedic trauma inpatients in our hospital between 2013 and 2022, including patient demographic information, causes of injury, location of injury and hospitalization costs.

RESULTS

The median age of the patients was 36 (26-47) years old; the age stratification of the patients was highest in the proportion of patients aged 40-50 years old (29.23%); hypertension was the most common among the patients' comorbidities (1.29%); patients' occupation was highest in heavy labourers such as farmers and workers, about 63.04% ( = 13923); patients' admissions were mainly in the form of emergencies ( = 16875, 76.41%); and patients' median hospitalization time was 7 (5, 12) days. The highest percentage of the cause of injury was due to exposure to inanimate mechanical forces (75.4%), followed by falls (16.14%) and traffic accidents (6.49%). The highest percentage of cause of injury in all age groups was due to inanimate mechanical force, and the percentage of patients with falls increased with age, and there was a positive correlation between age groups and the percentage of patients with falls ( = 0.964,  < 0.01). The highest percentage of patients with injuries to the upper extremities was about 74%. The distribution of injury sites in all age groups was highest in the upper extremities. Age was positively correlated with trunk injuries ( = 0.469,  = 0.203). The median hospitalization cost for patients over a 10-year period was approximately $1,100.

CONCLUSIONS

By analysing the epidemiological characteristics of patients, a general profile of local orthopaedic trauma patients was established, which can help in the development of disease prevention and interventions.