Incident arthritis in relation to excess weight.
OBJECTIVE
This article reports incidence rates of arthritis, based on data for people aged 40 or older who were followed over six years. The association between excess weight and arthritis, controlled for possible confounders, is also studied.


METHODS
Data are from the household components of cycle 1.1 of Statistics Canada's Canadian Community Health Survey (2000/01) and from the first four cycles of the National Population Health Survey (1994/95 to 2000/01).


METHODS
The prevalence of arthritis in 2000/01 was estimated using cross-sectional data; 1994/95-to-2000/01 incidence density is based on longitudinal data. Logistic regression was used to study the association between excess weight and arthritis (respondent-reported, doctor-diagnosed), while controlling for age, household income, smoking, number of physician consultations, strenuous daily activity, and other factors.


RESULTS
In 2000/01, 19% of men and 31% of women aged 40 or older reported having been diagnosed with arthritis. Incidence rates of arthritis were 31 and 48 cases per 1,000 person-years for men and women, respectively. For both sexes, the odds ratio for obesity (based on self-reported height and weight) in association with subsequent arthritis was significantly elevated, at 1.6.
Health Statistics Division, Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0T6. Kathryn.Wilkins@statcan.ca
Kathryn
K
Wilkins
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001168:Arthritis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002170:Canada; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors