Physical activity as a risk factor for osteoarthritis of the knee.
A case-control study was conducted to evaluate the association between knee osteoarthritis (OA) and physical activity (PA) among a community group aged 40 years and older. Case patients (85 males, 154 females) had radiologically confirmed knee OA with grade 2+ changes, according to Kellgren and Lawrence criteria. Control subjects (85 males, 154 females) had no radiologic evidence of knee OA. A statistically significant positive association between high PA level and knee OA was observed for women, with an age-adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.66 and 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.01 to 2.72. In men no association was observed (OR = 0.95; 95% CI, 0.49 to 1.83). These associations persisted when controlling simultaneously for potential confounders including age, obesity, history of knee injury, and socioeconomic status, indicating that the OA-PA association is limited to women. One possible explanation is that risk factors for knee OA are influenced by hormones.
Imeokparia
R L
RL
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa 33612-3805.
Barrett
J P
JP
Arrieta
M I
MI
Leaverton
P E
PE
Wilson
A A
AA
Hall
B J
BJ
Marlowe
S M
SM
D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015984:Causality; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005082:Physical Exertion; D011859:Radiography; D012307:Risk Factors; D016474:Weight-Bearing