Association between osteoarthritis of knee joint with gender, diabetes and work related diseases in middle aged and old aged population - A survey

Abstract

Osteoarthritis is a common musculoskeletal disorder where thinning of cartilage fibers occurs in the joints which causes stiffness, pain, and impairment. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder where the blood sugar level is not maintained properly at normal range. Knee joint osteoarthritis is one of the commonest arthritis. Age is said to be an essential risk factor for diabetes and arthritis. A well-structured set of self-evaluable questionnaires were circulated among the south Indian population. The data was collected by the survey planet link, the questions were verified by the institutional review board and the data was collected and analyzed. The variables were randomized to reduce bias. The data collected were manipulated and statistically analyzed. The awareness level and the suggestions regarding the relation between age, gender, diabetes, and knee joint arthritis were questioned and the opinions discussed. It was found that about 61.9% of the population suffers from osteoarthritic conditions. 46.4% of the population are sure and 43.3% population somewhat believe that onset of osteoarthritis is due to their diabetic condition. About 25.8% sure and 34% somewhat agree with the other risk factors of osteoarthritis. 43.3% of the population strongly agrees, 23.7% agree that obesity is a risk factor for both diabetes and osteoarthritis. About 47.4% of the populations are sure about the association between osteoarthritis and diabetes. The response shows that there is a relation between osteoarthritis and diabetes. So further studies should be made over the relation between diabetes and knee joint osteoarthritis among the middle and old aged population and the mechanism behind it and spread awareness about the same.