Increasing incidence of slipped capital femoral epiphysis in Trinidad and Tobago: A 50-year review

• Published in: Tropical doctor Vol. 53; no. 1; p. 85
• Main Authors: Beharry, Allan C, Quan Soon, Camille H, Augustus, Megan, Toby, David, Thomas, Dylan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.01.2023
• Subjects: Femur; Humans; Incidence; Risk Factors; Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphyses - diagnosis; Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphyses - epidemiology; Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphyses - etiology; Trinidad and Tobago - epidemiology; Trinidad and Tobago; epidemiology; SCFE; Slipped capital femoral epiphysis; treatment delay; incidence
• ISSN: 1758-1133
• DOI: 10.1177/00494755221130562

Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE) is a physeal disorder of the proximal femur. Misdiagnosis and late treatment are associated with poorer outcomes. The epidemiology and delays in treatment of the disease between 1968 and 2018 were investigated in North Trinidad. The number of cases presenting annually has increased over the decades and the incidence between 2008-2018 was 2.2 cases per 100 000 per year. Almost 70% of cases were above the 95 percentile for body weight. Delay in treatment from onset of symptoms was 278 ± 258 days. Awareness of the risk factors and clinical presentation of SCFE may facilitate early diagnosis and treatment, and prevent severe hip disability in adulthood.