As the population ages, fractures are becoming a major public health issue. Many are attributable to osteoporosis, a disease that affects more than two million Canadians. It gradually weakens their bones by deteriorating their microarchitecture to the point of increasing the risk of fracture. So to enhance current fracture prevention and management strategies, it’s essential to focus on bone health.
With that in mind, the McGill University team led by Dr. Suzanne Morin is conducting extensive research into fracture risk factors based on long-term studies of pan-Canadian cohorts (ELCV and CaMos) and analyses of administrative databases including those of the provinces of Québec and Manitoba.
The findings help better identify people at high risk of fracture and more specifically the groups who aren’t targeted by prevention strategies. While women over 50 (who are more likely to develop osteoporosis) are more systematically screened, many men and patients diagnosed with a chronic illness like diabetes or kidney failure are still flying under the radar despite also being at risk.
What’s more, Professor Morin is exploring the effects of medications to reduce the risk of fracture as she seeks to improve functional rehabilitation for patients. In addition to identifying previously neglected groups, her research is contributing to the development of targeted interventions for them. For example, the MisterFIT men’s program, which involves a virtual approach that combines exercise and nutrition, is currently the subject of a multicentre clinical trial.
Finally, with the support of organizations like Osteoporosis Canada, Dr. Morin is playing a key role in mobilizing knowledge among healthcare professionals and the public. In 2023, she updated the clinical practice guidelines to manage osteoporosis and prevent fractures (CMAJ 2023) and strengthened the care-related recommendations.
Sources
Hassanabadi, N., Berger, C., Papaioannou, A., Cheung, A.M., Rahme, E., Leslie, W.D., Goltzman, D. et Morin, S.N. Variation de la densité minérale osseuse et des fractures sur 20 ans chez les Canadiens – Une comparaison de l’Étude multicentrique canadienne sur l’ostéoporose et de l’Étude longitudinale canadienne sur le vieillissement. Osteoporos International, 2023, 34(2), 357-367. doi : 10.1007/s00198-022-06623-4
Tran-Nguyen, K., Berger, C., Bennett, R., Wall, M., Morin, S.N. et Rajabiyazdi, F. Prototype d’application mobile chez les adultes âgés pour la gestion de la douleur aiguë post-fracture – Approche centrée sur l’utilisateur. JMIR Formative Research. 2022, 6(10), e37772. doi : 10.2196/37772
Morin, S.N., Berger, C., Papaioannou, A., Cheung, A.M., Rahme, E., Leslie, W.D. et Goltzman, D. Différences raciales/ethniques dans la prévalence de l’ostéoporose, des chutes et des fractures – Une analyse transversale de l’Étude longitudinale canadienne sur le vieillissement. Osteoporos International, 2022, 33(12), 2637-2648. doi : 10.1007/s00198-022-06539-z
Drummond, K., Bennett, R., Gibbs, J., Wei, R., Hu, W., Tardio, V., Gagnon, C., Berger, C. et Morin, S.N. Perceptions du risque de fracture et de chute, ainsi que des bienfaits et des obstacles à l’exercice chez les adultes atteints de diabète. Osteoporos International, 2022, 33(12), 2563-2573. doi : 10.1007/s00198-022-06524-6