Distal forearm fracture risk in a cohort of female and male immigrants and Norwegian-born residents aged 20 to 79 years in Norway.

The study investigated the risk of distal forearm fractures in adult Norwegian residents according to regions of birth. There were significant differences in fracture risk between the region of birth categories. Although the magnitude of the rates was different between the birth categories, similar sex and seasonal risk patterns were observed.

introductionWorldwide, distal forearm fractures (DFFs) are the most common fractures in adults. This study compared incidence rates of first DFFs in women and men in Norway by region of birth, age, and season.

methodsWe included Norwegian residents aged 20 to 79 years with a first DFF between 2010 and 2020 using data from the Norwegian Patient Registry and population estimates from Statistics Norway. Three countries of birth groups were compared: Norwegian-born, Global North (most of Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand), and Global South (Asia, Africa, Latin America, Oceania).

resultsCompared to Norwegian-born residents in Norway, immigrants from Global North had 16% and 37% higher age-adjusted DFF incidence rates in women and men, respectively. Compared to Norwegian-born residents, female immigrants from Global South regions had 24% lower rates, whereas male immigrants from Global South regions did not have significantly lower rates. DFF rates were highest in winter for older men and women regardless of birth category, whereas rates in men younger than 50 years were highest during summer months.

conclusionWe observed significant differences in DFF rates by sex, region of birth, age, and season. Our findings might have important implications for public health efforts and fracture prevention strategies. Nonetheless, further research is necessary to investigate the underlying risk factors and mechanisms driving these differences.