Acetabular dysplasia in the Sami population: a population study among Sami in north Norway.
OBJECTIVE
The overall aim of this study was to evaluate the acetabular coverage of the femoral head as measured by the centre-edge (CE) angle of Wiberg and to evaluate any association between low back pain and hip dysplasia in a Sami-dominated area (the municipalities of Karasjok and Kautokeino) in north Norway.


METHODS
A cross-sectional population-based study, which included questionnaires and a radiographic examination of the hips.


METHODS
A total of 1723 individuals were invited to participate in a general health survey. Of these, 78.2% attended the screening and filled out a questionnaire that included questions about ethnicity and symptoms of back problems; 836 participants returned the questionnaire. Back problems were reported by 210 participants, the rest had no complaints. All 210 participants with back problems and a random sample of 206 with no back pain were invited for a radiographic examination, 75% and 76%, respectively, showed up for the examination.


RESULTS
The centre-edge (CE) angle of Wiberg was found to be 28 (+/-7) and 27 (+/-7) degrees for the left and right hip, respectively. Our results showed that 17% of the Sami had definite dysplasia, 21% had light dysplasia and 62% had normal hip joints. Thus, 38% of the Sami had more or less dysplastic hips. The oldest participants had a significantly smaller CE-angle than the younger ones. However, no associations were found between acetabular dysplasia and back complaints.


CONCLUSIONS
A high prevalence of hip dysplasia was found in this Sami-dominant area. No significant association could be found between low back pain and dysplasia.
Johnsen
Knut
K
Centre for Sami Health Research, Institute of Community Medicine, University of Tromsø, Norway. knut.johnsen@unn.no
Goll
Rosmus
R
Reikerås
Olav
O
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001110:Arctic Regions; D001848:Bone Diseases, Developmental / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006621:Hip Joint; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D044469:Racial Groups