Epidemiological characteristics of adult cuboid fracture in The Third Affiliated Hospital to Hebei Medical University from 2003 through 2012

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and trends of adult cuboid fractures in our hospital from 2003 through 2012. Methods The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed of all the adult patients with cuboid fracture who were treated between January 2003 and December 2012 at our institute. The patients' age, gender, fracture site and AO classification were documented. The data between January 2003 and December 2007 were assigned into group A while those between January 2008 and December 2012 into group B. The epidemiological characteristics concerning age, gender and fracture type were compared between the 2 groups. Results During the 10 years, 259 cuboid fractures were treated, involving 181 males and 78 females, with a male to female ratio of 2.32:1. They accounted for 4.45% of the contemporary adult tarsal fractures, 1.86% of the contemporary adult foot fractures, and 0.24% of the contemporary adult systemic fractures. Their peak ages ranged from 21 to 30 years (23.55%). The most frequent fracture type was 84-A (69.50%). In group A, there were 87 cases, with a male to female ratio of 2.00: 1 and a median age of 35.0 years. In group B, there were 172 cases, with a male/ female ratio of 2.51:1 and a median age of 42.0 years. There was a significant difference in the mean age between the 2 groups (P<0.05). Compared with group A, group B had significantly higher proportions of cuboid fracture in the contemporary tarsal, foot and systemic fractures, a significantly smaller age group of 16 to 20 years, and a significantly higher proportion of type 84-B (P<0.05). Conclusions During the 10 years in our hospital, the peak age of adult cuboid fracture ranged from 21 to 30 years. The most common fracture type was 84-A. compared with the first 5 years, the second 5 years witnessed a decreased proportion of patients of 16 to 20 years old, increased proportion of type 84-B, increased median age, and increased proportions of cuboid fracture in the contemporary tarsal, foot and systemic fractures. Key words: Tarsal bones; Cuboid bones; Fractures, bone; Epidemiology; Adult