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Risk factors and prognostic factors of hip and knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint disease that most commonly affects middle-aged and elderly people. As the prevalence of OA is expected to increase substantially in the future, a clearer insight into the risk factors for disease development and disease in progression is desirable. In this Review, we summarize the evidence available from systematic reviews regarding the determinants of the development and progression of hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA). There is moderate to strong evidence that physical workload (in hip and knee OA), high-intensity sporting activities (in hip OA), and being overweight (in clinical hip OA) are risk factors for OA. There is also moderate to strong evidence that having OA and a high serum level of hyaluronic acid are prognostic factors for knee OA. In addition, there is strong evidence that superolateral type of migration of the femoral head and atrophic bone response are prognostic factors for hip OA. Further research into the identification of prognostic risk factors for symptomatic progression of knee OA is warranted.

Key Points

  • There is moderate to strong evidence that a heavy physical workload is a risk factor for both hip and knee osteoarthritis

  • There is moderate to strong evidence that high-intensity sporting activity is a risk factor for hip osteoarthritis

  • There is moderate to strong evidence that having generalized osteoarthritis and a high serum level of hyaluronic acid are prognostic factors for knee osteoarthritis

  • There is strong evidence that superolateral type of migration of the femoral head and atrophic bone response are prognostic factors for hip osteoarthritis

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Correspondence to Sita MA Bierma-Zeinstra.

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Bierma-Zeinstra, S., Koes, B. Risk factors and prognostic factors of hip and knee osteoarthritis. Nat Rev Rheumatol 3, 78–85 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncprheum0423

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ncprheum0423

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