Epidemiological profile of symptomatic osteoarthritis in older adults: a population based study in Dicomano, Italy

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of hand, hip, and knee osteoarthritis (OA) in an older Italian community dwelling population and its association with disability. Method: A cross sectional survey of the whole community aged 65 years and over, was carried out in Dicomano, a small rural town in Tuscany, Italy. Subjects were screened by geriatricians for major chronic conditions, including hip, knee, and hand OA, using diagnostic algorithms based on the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) clinical criteria. A rheumatologist examined subjects who screened positive. Disability was assessed by a World Health Organisation questionnaire. Results: 697 of 864 eligible subjects (81% of the eligible population) were screened. OA of the knee, hand, or hip was identified by clinical ACR criteria respectively in 159, 139, and 81 subjects, and was confirmed by the rheumatologist in 158/182 (87%), 75/101 (74%), and 63.2% of cases. The estimated prevalence was 29.8%, 14.9%, and 7.7%, respectively. Only hip OA was significantly associated with disability in basic activities of daily living. Conclusions: About one third of community dwelling older people are affected by symptomatic peripheral OA. Hip OA was strongly associated with disability.

Systematic Review of the Prevalence of Radiographic Primary Hip Osteoarthritis

“…Other studies have reported much higher rates of radiographic hip OA than symptomatic hip OA [22,37,43]. This suggests symptomatic hip OA confirmed by radiographic findings of hip OA according to an established method of diagnosis may be more relevant clinically than either method alone [40].…”

“…Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common rheumatic condition, the most frequent cause of musculoskeletal disability in developed countries, and one of the most common causes of disability resulting in limited activities of daily living in the general adult population [1,26,40]. Although OA may affect any joint in the body, it most commonly affects the knee followed closely by the hip [56].…”

Osteoarthritis: etiology, epidemiology, impact on the individual and society and the main principles of management

“…OA of the knee accounts for more dependence in walking, stair climbing, and other lower-extremity tasks than any other disease (4,34,36,37). The data on 697 participants obtained from a cross-sectional survey carried out in Dicomano, Italy, showed that hip OA was strongly associated with disability in patients aged 65 years and more (38). According the data of a national survey carried out in France, more than 80% of all patients (n=10 412; mean age, 66.2 years) reported limitations in their ADL for basic tasks, leisure activities, or work.…”

Relationship between Hip Flexion Contracture and Hip-Joint Contact Force in Standing Posture: A Computer Simulation Study

“…Moreover, Mannoni et al [4] have reported that hip OA is strongly associated with disability, and Hall et al [5] have reported that hip OA causes decreased physical functioning on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index. Therefore, it is important to prevent hip OA progression via medical treatment.…”