Age and Gender Differences in Fracture Patterns at King Fahad Hospital, Al-Baha: A Retrospective Study

Background: Fractures represent a significant public health concern worldwide, contributing to substantial morbidity, healthcare utilization, and economic burden. The distribution and type of fractures vary across demographic groups, particularly with respect to age and gender, reflecting differences in bone density, activity levels, and exposure to trauma. Objective: To examine the association between age and gender and the pattern of fractures among patients presenting to King Fahad Hospital in Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 886 patients with radiologically confirmed fractures who presented between January 2023 and January 2024. Data on patient demographics (age and gender) and fracture characteristics (anatomical site and type) were extracted from electronic medical records. Patients were categorized into age groups for comparative analysis. Statistical associations between demographic variables and fracture patterns were assessed using chi-square tests, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. Results: The mean age of patients was 32.94 ± 22.42 years, indicating a wide age distribution, with males accounting for 68.8% of cases. The most frequently observed fractures involved the forearm and elbow (19.5%), followed by the humerus (18.7%) and foot (17.8%). A statistically significant variation in fracture patterns was observed across different age groups (p = 0.001), suggesting age-specific vulnerability to certain fracture types. In contrast, no significant association was found between gender and fracture distribution (p = 0.680), despite the higher overall proportion of male patients. Conclusion: Fracture patterns differ significantly by age but not by gender in this population. These findings underscore the importance of implementing age-specific preventive measures, resource allocation, and clinical management strategies to reduce fracture incidence and improve patient outcomes.