Posters
Presenting Author Academic/Professional Position
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 1)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 2)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 3)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 4)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 5)
Medical Student
Presentation Type
Poster
Discipline Track
Clinical Science
Public Health
Abstract Type
Research/Clinical
Abstract
Background: Pelvic fractures, while rare, are one of the more severe fractures due to their potential to damage crucial internal organs. Many are deemed medical emergencies that require immediate surgical attention, highlighting the importance of accessible healthcare. Previous research indicates that pelvic fractures are more prevalent in women and most often as a result from a high impact traumatic injury. However, it remains unclear the impact of epidemiologic factors on pelvic fracture incidence and severity, particularly in minority populations. Here, we sought to evaluate the influence of geographical area on pelvic fracture incidence, including specific injury causes and anatomical fracture locations. We hypothesized that pelvic fractures would be more prevalent in urban areas, with females showing the highest incidence.
Methods: We utilized data from the Texas State Department of Health Services to conduct a retrospective analysis evaluating trauma encounters from 2018 to 2022. ICD-10 codes were analyzed under the main header S32, focusing on specific fractures of the pubis, ilium, ischium and acetabulum to determine anatomical fracture location prevalence. Fractures were evaluated based chi square analysis of distribution on sex, ethnicity, age, location (public health region (PHR)), and injury cause. A statistically significant result was classified as p < 0.05.
Results: We identified 21,849 individuals in this dataset that had pelvic fractures. Within these individuals, 55.5% of females sustained pelvic fractures compared to males at 44.5%. Pubic fractures were significantly more prevalent in women, with no sex differences in Pelvis and Ischium. Males had higher prevalence of fractures in the Ilium and Acetabulum. White individuals were significantly more affected by pelvic fractures compared to other races and ethnicities. Falls or jumps were the leading causes of injury, followed by motor vehicle accidents. Interestingly, Public Health Region 10, exhibited the highest prevalence of pelvic fractures at 492 per 100,000 people, followed by PHR 2 (152), PHR 1 (116), and PHR 9 (88). The top four affected regions were predominantly rural or suburban.
Conclusion: Our finding that pelvic fractures were more common in females is similar to other studies, and likely due to bone density and shape differences in the female pelvis. We also observed that white individuals had a higher incidence of pelvic fractures potentially due to lifestyle factors and bone density differences in comparison to other races. Older adults were disproportionately affected as well; we believe this is due to age-related bone degeneration. In addition, our finding that falls were the predominant cause likely reflects the increased risk of falls among older adults and in specific rural or suburban areas. Our results reflect a need for increased preventative strategies and targeted healthcare resources in these settings. Moving forward, studies investigating factors contributing to falls and fractures in rural and suburban areas could help reduce this type of injury.
Recommended Citation
Ortigoza, Isabella; Saldhi, Saloni; Padhi, Shalika; Holubar, Ashlyn; Guillory, Mary Arden; Torres, Jocelyn; Salinas, Daniel; and Baker, Kelsey, "A Five-Year Study of Pelvic Fractures in Texas: Demographics, Location and Healthcare Needs" (2025). Research Symposium. 69.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/somrs/2025/posters/69
Included in
A Five-Year Study of Pelvic Fractures in Texas: Demographics, Location and Healthcare Needs
Background: Pelvic fractures, while rare, are one of the more severe fractures due to their potential to damage crucial internal organs. Many are deemed medical emergencies that require immediate surgical attention, highlighting the importance of accessible healthcare. Previous research indicates that pelvic fractures are more prevalent in women and most often as a result from a high impact traumatic injury. However, it remains unclear the impact of epidemiologic factors on pelvic fracture incidence and severity, particularly in minority populations. Here, we sought to evaluate the influence of geographical area on pelvic fracture incidence, including specific injury causes and anatomical fracture locations. We hypothesized that pelvic fractures would be more prevalent in urban areas, with females showing the highest incidence.
Methods: We utilized data from the Texas State Department of Health Services to conduct a retrospective analysis evaluating trauma encounters from 2018 to 2022. ICD-10 codes were analyzed under the main header S32, focusing on specific fractures of the pubis, ilium, ischium and acetabulum to determine anatomical fracture location prevalence. Fractures were evaluated based chi square analysis of distribution on sex, ethnicity, age, location (public health region (PHR)), and injury cause. A statistically significant result was classified as p < 0.05.
Results: We identified 21,849 individuals in this dataset that had pelvic fractures. Within these individuals, 55.5% of females sustained pelvic fractures compared to males at 44.5%. Pubic fractures were significantly more prevalent in women, with no sex differences in Pelvis and Ischium. Males had higher prevalence of fractures in the Ilium and Acetabulum. White individuals were significantly more affected by pelvic fractures compared to other races and ethnicities. Falls or jumps were the leading causes of injury, followed by motor vehicle accidents. Interestingly, Public Health Region 10, exhibited the highest prevalence of pelvic fractures at 492 per 100,000 people, followed by PHR 2 (152), PHR 1 (116), and PHR 9 (88). The top four affected regions were predominantly rural or suburban.
Conclusion: Our finding that pelvic fractures were more common in females is similar to other studies, and likely due to bone density and shape differences in the female pelvis. We also observed that white individuals had a higher incidence of pelvic fractures potentially due to lifestyle factors and bone density differences in comparison to other races. Older adults were disproportionately affected as well; we believe this is due to age-related bone degeneration. In addition, our finding that falls were the predominant cause likely reflects the increased risk of falls among older adults and in specific rural or suburban areas. Our results reflect a need for increased preventative strategies and targeted healthcare resources in these settings. Moving forward, studies investigating factors contributing to falls and fractures in rural and suburban areas could help reduce this type of injury.
