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. 2015:10:12.
doi: 10.1007/s11657-015-0212-9. Epub 2015 Apr 25.

Osteoporosis management and fractures in the Métis of Ontario, Canada

Racquel Jandoc  1 , Nathaniel Jembere, Saba Khan, Storm J Russell, Yvon Allard, Suzanne M Cadarette
Affiliations

Osteoporosis management and fractures in the Métis of Ontario, Canada

Racquel Jandoc et al. Arch Osteoporos. 2015.

Abstract

Half of Métis citizens, compared to less than 10 % of the general population of Ontario, reside in northern regions, with little access to bone mineral density (BMD) testing. Métis citizens had lower sex-specific and age-standardized rates of BMD testing, yet similar rates of fracture (both sexes) and pharmacotherapy (women only).

Purpose: To examine osteoporosis management and common osteoporosis-related fractures among Métis citizens compared to the general population of older adults residing in Ontario.

Methods: We linked healthcare (medical and pharmacy) utilization and administrative (demographic) databases with the Métis Nation of Ontario citizenship registry to estimate osteoporosis management (bone mineral density [BMD] testing, pharmacotherapy) and fractures (hip, humerus, radius/ulna) among adults aged ≥50 years, from April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2011. Pharmacotherapy data were limited to residents aged ≥65 years. Sex-specific and age-standardized rates were compared between the Métis and the general population. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare rates of BMD testing after controlling for differences in age and region of residence between the Métis and the general population.

Results: We studied 4219 Métis citizens (55 % men), and 140 (3 %) experienced a fracture. Half of Métis citizens, compared to less than 10 % of the general population of Ontario, resided in northern regions. We identified significantly lower sex-specific and age-standardized rates of BMD testing among Métis compared to the general population, yet found little difference in fracture rates (both sexes) or pharmacotherapy (women only). Differences in BMD testing disappeared after adjusting for region of residence among women yet remained significant among men.

Conclusions: Despite finding significantly lower rates of osteoporosis management among men, Métis men and women were found to have similar age-standardized fracture rates to the general population.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Study flow diagram of the Métis and the general population inclusion. Missing data refers to missing information regarding neighbourhood income, region of residence, and “urban” status
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Five-year bone mineral density (BMD) testing rates among the Métis (closed circle) and the general population (open square), by age group, stratified by sex. 95 % confidence intervals for Métis estimates are wide and overlap with the general population in all comparisons
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Five-year fracture rates among the Métis (closed circle) and the general population (open square), by age group, stratified by sex. Any fracture refers to a fracture of the hip, humerus, or radius/ulna. The 95 % confidence intervals for Métis estimates are wide and overlap with the general population in all comparisons
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (2014) First Nations people in Canada. http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1303134042666/1303134337338 Accessed January 5 2015
    1. Statistics Canada (2013) Aboriginal Peoples in Canada: First Nations People, Metis, and Inuit. National Household Survey, 2011. Minister of Industry, Ottawa
    1. Métis Nation of Ontario (2014) Who are the Métis. http://www.metisnation.org/culture--heritage/who-are-the-metis Accessed February 10 2014
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