IMPAKT-HiP

Preventing Hip Pain

IMPAKT-HiP_Phase1-buttonAbout Phase 1: The Prevalence Project

 

 

 

Why do this research project?

prevalence-imageLed by Drs. Jacek Kopec and Linda Li, the Prevalence project is one of the first population-based studies to directly compare the prevalence of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) with the prevalence of hip osteoarthritis (OA) in different ethnic groups.

FAI is one source of hip pain in young adults and has been suggested as a major cause of hip OA.

Researchers looked at the frequency of FAI in Caucasian, Chinese and Indigenous populations in British Columbia to explore associations between ethnicity and FAI. Results provide insight into FAI as a potiential cause of hip OA.

While Indigenous populations have the highest frequency of hip OA, hip OA in the Chinese population is extremely rare. If FAI is a cause of hip OA, a significant difference in the prevalence of FAI would likely be observed across these three communities.

Research goals have been accomplished with tremendous community support provided by S.U.C.C.E.S.S., the largest Chinese social service agency in BC, and the Kwakiutl District Council (KDC) Health Centres in the Indigenous community.

What was done?

In British Columbia, Canada, 510 Caucasian, 201 Chinese and 114 Indigenous individuals aged between 20-49 years old took part in an assessment involving:

 

 

  • A physical examination for both hips
  • Hip x-ray
  • Hip Study Questionnaire

Participants received a small honorarium and a summary of findings from their hip x-ray.

What did we learn?

There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of FAI between Caucasian and Chinese populations. The majority of participants were women and aged between 19-49 years old. Among Caucasians, 63% of men and 37% of women had FAI. FAI was found in 49% of men and 34% of women in the Chinese population.

 

Further research to examine the prevalence of FAI in populations with high (e.g. Indigenous populations) vs. low hip OA prevalence may provide further insight into the cause of hip OA.

 

IMPAKT-HiP researchers will continue to partner with KDC on another study called PATH (Pathway to Health). For more details, please click here.