Abortion is associated with knee osteoarthritis among older women in China

Abstract

The current studies revealed inconsistent relationship between reproductive factors and osteoarthritis. Community-based research has not been conducted in China. The study was to examine the association of reproductive factors with the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis (OA). Through a multistage stratified random sampling method, 10 streets or villages from 5 cities in Hunan province were randomly selected, a total 2746 eligible women aged 50 to 83 were recruited in this cross-sectional study. A structured questionnaire including demographic factors, socio-economic status, reproductive factors, and knee OA was used. According to the criteria of American College of Rheumatology, clinical knee OA was assessed by doctors in community or village health clinics for knee pain, age, morning stiffness, crepitus on active motion or for knee pain, morning stiffness, crepitus on active motion, and tenderness of the bony navigation of the joint. Self-reported age of menarche, parity, abortion history, and menopausal status were collected. The prevalence of knee OA was 13.44%. Abortion is associated with knee OA (odds ratio [OR] = 1.271, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.007, 1.606), but age at menarche, parity, and menopausal status were not the factors. Furthermore, age (OR = 1.040, 95% CI = 1.020, 1.060), weight (OR = 1.019, 95% CI = 1.004, 1.035), higher education level (OR = 1.530, 95% CI = 1.121, 2.088), higher monthly household income (OR = .583, 95% CI = 0.441, 0.770 for 3000–4999 ¥ and OR = 0.599, 95% CI = 0.431, 0.833 for 5000 ¥ or more), and chronic gastritis (OR = 3.364, 95% CI = 2.548, 4.442) were associated with knee OA. Abortion may increase the risk of knee OA. Special attention should be paid to women with a history of abortion, and women who are planning to abort should be informed of the risk of knee OA later in life. The relationship between abortion and knee OA should be interpreted with caution and further confirmed.

The Impact of Pregnancy on Distal Femoral Cartilage- A Prospective Cohort Study

“…However, in a study conducted in 14 nulliparous and 14 multiparous patients, it was shown that the risk of osteoarthritis increased as a result of the alteration of cartilage mechanics in multiparous patients (22). In addition, a study suggested that there is a relationship between abortion and knee osteoarthritis, and that it may increase knee osteo-arthritis (23).…”

Availability of Post-Abortion Family Planning Services and Contraception in Hunan Province, China：A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Therefore, this study aimed to 1) understand the prevalence of PAFPS and 2) explore the factors related to contraceptive method choice after receiving PAFPS in Hunan Province, China. The details of data collection have been reported elsewhere [27][28][29]. Data collection used four types of questionnaires in four age groups (10-19 years, 20-39 years, 40-49 years, and 50-70 years), which had undergone extensive literature research and were evaluated by an expert panel comprised of 10 experts from Central South University, an a liated hospital, and the Hunan Province Women's Federation.…”