| Sub-title | |
| Authors | J N Borg M K Farrugia R Gatt A Amato Gauci C Sciberras |
| Abstract | Slipped upper femoral epiphysis (SUFE) is an acute/acute on chronic condition involving separation of the epiphysis and metaphysis through the epiphyseal plate of the femur occurring at or around puberty. Various characteristics of SUFE have already been described in the literature, emphasising the increased incidence in males (in whom the condition occurs at a higher mean age), its laterality and seasonality. The hypothesis at the onset of this study was to test whether there is a greater than expected incidence of SUFE in Maltese archipelago and in Maltese female adolescents, and whether there is a higher incidence in the summer months than would be expected from the literature. Fifty-four consecutive cases of SUFE presenting over a seven-year period to the islands main acute general hospital were reviewed retrospectively in order to obtain crude incidence, sex incidence, mean age at onset, laterality and seasonal distribution. A crude incidence of 2.08/100,000 population was obtained with an observed male:female ratio of 2:1 which is comparable with the literature. Mean age at onset was 12.6 years in males and 11.9 years in females. Seasonal distribution revealed an unexpected higher incidence in the predominantly winter months. |
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| Journal | Malta Medical Journal |
| Volume | 15 Issue 1-2/suppl. 2003 |
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| Key words | incidence, seasonal distribution, slipped femoral epiphyses |