Bone Quality and Fracture Healing among Inhabitants of Marshes in the South of Iraq

Thamer A Hamdan1, Maher Diwan Abdullah2* and Abdullah Mohammed Jawad3

1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Basrah, Iraq
2Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Iraqi board, Iraq
3Department of Pharmacology, Iraqi board, Iraq

^*Correspondance to: Maher Diwan Abdullah 

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Abstract:

Background: Ethnic differences in bone mass and bone fracture healing power have been reported.
Marsh-inhabitants, south of Iraq have unique racial and cultural behavior. The study aims to
investigate the potential differences in bone quality and fracture healing power between marshinhabitants
and urbans groups.
Methods: Study was conducted on three groups, Marsh-inhabitants resident in marshlands, Marshinhabitants
resident in city and urbans population. The groups were compared according to their
bone mineral density, which was measured using portable quantitative ultrasound.
Other part of the study involved comparing healing rate of fractures in the three groups. Patients
with long bone fractures were followed until fracture consolidation (in Basra city hospitals). Fracture
consolidation times (assessed by ordinary radiograph and clinical examination) were recorded.
In both parts study, Socio-demographic and nutritional habits were assessed by a specially designed
questionnaire, and their effects on BMD and fracture consolidation time were analyzed.
Results: Average BMD in the Marsh-inhabitants whether they are residents of marshlands or in
city, were significantly higher than that of urban group (An average of 0.9 g/cm2 and 0.13 g/cm2
for Marsh-inhabitants and urbans respectively). BMD in Marsh-inhabitants resident in marshlands
was higher than that of Marsh-inhabitants resident in the city (1.0 g/cm2 vs. 0.8 g/cm2 for the two
groups respectively).
Results showed that fracture consolidation time was significantly shorter in Marsh-inhabitants than
urban population (better healing rate of Marsh-inhabitants fractures by 30%).
Conclusion: Marsh Arabs have a unique genetic and environmental influence that can enhance
bone quality and fracture healing power.

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Cite the Article:

Hamdan TA, Abdullah MD, Jawad AM. Bone Quality and Fracture Healing among Inhabitants of Marshes in the South of Iraq. World J Surg Surgical Res. 2020; 3: 1196..