ANALYSIS OF FEMUR FRACTURES IN THE STATE OF PARANÁ IN THE LAST DECADE: TEMPORAL EVOLUTION AND EVIDENCE OF THE TRANSITION FROM MALE TO FEMALE PREDOMINANCE

Abstract

Femur fractures constitute an important public health problem due to their high rates of morbidity and mortality, as well as the significant socioeconomic impact associated with hospitalization and prolonged rehabilitation. This study aimed to analyze the temporal evolution and the epidemiological profile of femur fractures in the state of Paraná, Brazil, from 2015 to 2025. Special emphasis was placed on the predominance of femur fractures among males up to the fifth decade of life and on the subsequent transition in the pattern of occurrence, with higher frequency among females. This is an observational, retrospective, and descriptive study based on the analysis of secondary data obtained from the Hospital Information System of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SIH/SUS), available through the DATASUS platform. The variables analyzed included sex, age group, year of occurrence, and regional distribution of hospitalizations due to femur fractures. The results showed a predominance of femur fractures among males up to the fifth decade of life, which is associated with greater exposure to occupational risk activities and a higher incidence of motorcycle-related high-energy trauma. From the fifth decade onward, a transition toward higher occurrence among females was observed, possibly related to the climacteric period and estrogen deficiency characteristic of postmenopause, factors that contribute to the development of osteoporosis and bone fragility. These findings highlight the importance of targeted preventive strategies according to different epidemiological risk profiles, aiming to reduce the burden of femur fractures in the state of Paraná.