Abstract
BackgroundThis is the first longitudinal study with a 22-year follow-up, based on a national and complete sample, to determine whether the prevalence of hip fracture and the age when it occurs are influenced by migration and by being foreign-born. Cultural background and environmental factors such as UV-radiation and lifestyle during childhood and adolescence may influence the risk of a hip fracture event later in life. Differences in prevalence might occur between the indigenous population and those who have migrated to a country.MethodsThe study was based on national population data. The study population consisted of 321,407 Swedish-born and 307,174 foreign-born persons living in Sweden during the period 1987-1999.ResultsForeign-born individuals had a reduced risk of hip fracture, with odds ratios (ORs) of 0.47-0.77 for men and 0.42-0.88 for women. Foreign-born women had the hip fracture event at a higher age on average, but a longer time spent in Sweden was associated with a small but significant increase in risk.ConclusionsWe found that there was a reduced risk of hip fracture in all foreign-born individuals, and that the hip fracture event generally happened at a higher age in foreign-born women. Migration must therefore be considered in relation to the prevalence and risk of hip fracture. Migration can therefore have a positive effect on one aspect of the health of a population, and can influence and lower the total cost of healthcare due to reduced risk and prevalence of hip fracture.
Highlights
This is the first longitudinal study with a 22-year follow-up, based on a national and complete sample, to determine whether the prevalence of hip fracture and the age when it occurs are influenced by migration and by being foreign-born
Improvement in our knowledge is important in this respect since cultural background and physical environment during childhood and adolescence are known to be able to influence the risk of a hip fracture event [1], and differences in the prevalence of hip fracture might occur between the indigenous population and people who have migrated to a country
The data originated from Statistics Sweden (SCB) and the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare Centre for Epidemiology, covering the period 1970-1999 and including all 361,974 foreign-born individuals aged 16 years or more who were registered as living in Sweden in 1970
Summary
This is the first longitudinal study with a 22-year follow-up, based on a national and complete sample, to determine whether the prevalence of hip fracture and the age when it occurs are influenced by migration and by being foreign-born. Cultural background and environmental factors such as UV-radiation and lifestyle during childhood and adolescence may influence the risk of a hip fracture event later in life. Improvement in our knowledge is important in this respect since cultural background and physical environment during childhood and adolescence are known to be able to influence the risk of a hip fracture event [1], and differences in the prevalence of hip fracture might occur between the indigenous population and people who have migrated to a country. Hip fractures are an increasing problem, since they are strongly associated with old age and the number of elderly people is increasing worldwide. Sweden has one of the highest prevalences of hip fractures in the world, especially among elderly [6]
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