Osteoarthritis research
2) However, overweight has also been associated with higher rates of hand OA in some studies (refs. osteoarthritis research Joint rolling. 3 and 4) suggesting the involvement of a circulating systemic factor as well. (ref. 5) (top of page) Obesity Is a Risk Factor for Osteoarthritis Overweight women have nearly 4 times the risk of knee OA; for overweight men the risk is 5 times greater. osteoarthritis research Picture of arthritis magazines. Being overweight is a clear risk factor for developing OA. Population-based studies have consistently shown a link between overweight or obesity and knee OA. Estimating prevalence across populations is difficult since definitions for obesity and knee OA vary among investigators. osteoarthritis research Hip joint anatomy. Data from the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HANES I) indicated that obese women had nearly 4 times the risk of knee OA as compared with non-obese women; for obese men, the risk was nearly 5 times greater. (ref. 6) In a study from Framingham MA, overweight individuals in their thirties who did not have knee OA were at greater risk of later developing the disease. (ref. 7) Other investigations, which performed repeated x-rays over time also, have found that being overweight significantly increases the risk of developing knee OA. (refs. 8 and 9) It is estimated that persons in the highest quintile of body weight have up to 10 times the risk of knee OA than those in the lowest quintile. (ref. 5) (top of page) The Benefits of Weight Loss Even small amounts of weight loss reduce the risk of developing knee OA. Preliminary studies suggest weight loss decreases pain substantially in those with knee OA. If obesity increases the development and progression of knee OA, can weight loss reverse these effects? In the Framingham study, Felson and colleagues noted that among women with a baseline body mass index (BMI) > 25, weight loss was associated with a significantly lower risk of knee OA. (ref. 10) For a woman of normal height, for every 11 lb weight loss (approximately 2 BMI units), the risk of knee OA dropped > 50%.
Osteoarthritis research
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