Bone mineral content among Inuit - a systematic review of data

Area of Science:

• Anthropology
• Orthopedics
• Public Health

Background:

• Inuit populations possess unique environmental exposures potentially affecting calcium metabolism and skeletal health.
• Bone mineral content (BMC) is a critical indicator of skeletal integrity and fracture risk.
• Aging is a significant factor in osteoporosis, making skeletal health crucial for older Inuit.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and consolidate available data on bone mineral content (BMC) among Inuit populations.
• To provide a comprehensive overview of BMC in Inuit, facilitating comparison and future research.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted with librarian expertise to identify relevant studies.
• Six studies providing BMC data for Inuit in Alaska or Canada were included in the review.

Main Results:

• BMC in Inuit men and women peaked around age 25 in the distal radius and distal ulna.
• Peak BMC in the diaphysis of the ulna, humerus, and tibia occurred approximately 10 years later.
• Sex differences in BMC ranged from 23% to 30% and were consistent across studies.
• Age-related changes in BMC were comparable to those observed in non-Inuit populations.

Conclusions:

• Bone mineral content (BMC) data for Inuit populations are presented, showing similarities between groups.
• Sex and age-related variations in BMC among Inuit align with findings in other global populations.
• Future research should incorporate spine and hip BMC, bone structure analysis, and fracture risk assessment beyond BMC.