Abstract Objectives To assess the epidemiology of complex chronic conditions (CCC) and functional limitations (FL) among Métis children in Alberta, and to examine associated maternal and neonatal factors, health care utilization, and medication prescriptions. Methods Population-based retrospective cohort study using administrative health data for all singleton livebirths to Métis mothers in Alberta between 2006 and 2016, followed from birth until age 10, death, or 2019. Period prevalence of CCC and FL were calculated as percentages. Age-related adjusted incidence rates (aIR), and adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for maternal/neonatal factors, health care utilization and medication prescriptions were estimated in regression analyses. Results Among 7853 Métis children, the prevalence of CCC was 13.7% (95% CI 13.0, 14.5) and FL was 4.0% (95% CI 3.6, 4.4). The highest aIRs occurred during the first year of life: 95.7 cases/1000 person-years (95% CI 88.6, 102.7) for CCC and 11.6 cases per 1000 person-years (95% CI 8.7, 14.5) for FL. Most common CCC were prematurity/neonatal, neoplasms, and cardiovascular, while most common FL were attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, language disorder, and respiratory congenital malformations. Incidence rates were 30% higher for CCC and 40% higher for FL in urban versus rural areas. Métis children with any CCC or FL had 40% higher health care utilization and received 70% more medication prescriptions than those without these conditions. Conclusion The burden and early onset of chronic and complex conditions among Métis children highlight the need for continued monitoring and evaluation of medical services to ensure responsive and equitable care.
Serrano-Lomelin et al. (Tue,) studied this question.