epidemiology of osteoarthritis

• DOI: 10.17615/rrvv-pp51
• Publication Date: 2008-08-01
• Authors: Yuqing Zhang; Joanne M. Jordan
• Keywords: Adult; Aged, 80 and over; Male; Incidence; Age Factors; Pain; Middle Aged; Osteoarthritis, Knee; Prognosis; Severity of Illness Index; United States; Osteoarthritis, Hip; 3. Good health; Sex Factors; Age Distribution; Risk Factors; Osteoarthritis; Prevalence; Quality of Life; Humans; Osteoporosis; Female; Obesity; Sex Distribution; Aged

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder in the United States. Symptomatic knee OA occurs in 10% men and 13% in women aged 60 years or older. The number of people affected with symptomatic OA is likely to increase due to the aging of the population and the obesity epidemic. OA has a multi-factorial etiology and can be considered the product of an interplay between systemic and local factors. Old age, female gender, overweight and obesity, knee injury, repetitive use of joints, bone density, muscle weakness, and joint laxity all play roles in the development of joint osteoarthritis, particularly in the weight-bearing joints. Modifying these factors may reduce the risk of osteoarthritis and prevent subsequent pain and disability.