PURPOSE: The aim of this study in adult patients with a distal radial fracture 
was to determine whether socioeconomic status influenced the epidemiology, 
mechanism of injury, fracture severity, or the outcome according to function, 
radiographic assessment, and rate of associated complications.
METHODS: We identified 3983 distal radial fractures over a 7-year period. 
Socioeconomic status was assigned using the Carstairs score, and the population 
was divided into quintiles depending on deprivation. Patient demographics, 
mechanism of injury, fracture severity, and radiographic assessment at time of 
injury were assessed for epidemiological differences according to social 
quintile. Functional outcome was assessed using grip strength, Moberg pickup 
test, return to normal use of the hand, and range of movement. Radiographs were 
assessed at 1 week, 6 weeks, and 1 year. Complications were defined as malunion, 
carpal tunnel syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), persistent pain, 
and subjective cosmetic deformity of the wrist.
RESULTS: Socioeconomically deprived patients were significantly younger 
(p < 0.001) and more likely to be male (p = 0.017); after adjusting for 
confounding factors, deprived patients were 3.1 (95% CI 1.4-4.7) years younger 
than the most affluent patients (p < 0.001). Deprived patients were more likely 
to sustain their fracture by a high-energy mechanism (p = 0.004). There were no 
significant differences between quintiles in outcome. There was a significantly 
greater prevalence of CRPS in more affluent patients (p = 0.004).
CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomically deprived patients sustaining a distal radial 
fracture are more likely to be younger and male. Outcome is not influenced by 
socioeconomic status, but the prevalence of CRPS is greater in more affluent 
patients.