J Korean Rheum Assoc.  2007 Dec;14(4):354-362.

The Prevalence and Risk Factors of Knee and Hand Osteoarthritis in Korea

• Cho NH
• Kim S
• Kim HA
• Seo YI

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of radiographic and symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) and hand OA among community dwellers in a Korean rural area and to elucidate its risk factors.
METHODS
This cross-sectional population based study was conducted on residents over 40 years of age in Ansung, Gyeonggi Province. Subjects completed an interview based on a standardized questionnaire and clinical evaluation including knee and hand radiographs. We defined a subject with the Kellgren and Lawrence grade > or =2 as having radiographic OA (ROA). Symptomatic OA (SOA) was defined by the presence of both radiographic OA and self-reported pain.
RESULTS
We obtained both symptom information and radiographs from 3,876 subjects. The prevalence of radiographic and symptomatic knee OA was 14.9% and 5.4%, respectively. The prevalence of radiographic and symptomatic hand OA was 13.4% and 8.0%, respectively. The prevalence of knee and hand OA (ROA & SOA) was higher among women than men. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed a significant association of age and female sex with both knee and hand OA (ROA & SOA), of body mass index (BMI) with knee OA (ROA & SOA) and hand ROA.
CONCLUSION
Both symptomatic and radiographic knee OA and hand OA is common in the general adult population of Korea, with preponderance for women. Age and female sex are common risk factors for knee and hand OA. Weight control is necessary for prevention of knee OA. Other factors might also contribute to the development of OA, but further study is needed to elucidate the role of these factors.

Keyword

Prevalence; Osteoarthritis; Knee; Hand; Korean

MeSH Terms

Adult
Body Mass Index
Female
Gyeonggi-do
Hand*
Humans
Knee*
Korea*
Logistic Models
Male
Osteoarthritis*
Osteoarthritis, Knee
Prevalence*
Surveys and Questionnaires
Risk Factors*

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