Abstract
Hip osteoarthritis is a major cause of pain and disability. The authors explored individual risk factors for hip osteoarthritis in a population-based case-control study. The study was performed in two English health districts (Portsmouth and North Staffordshire) from 1993 to 1995. A total of 611 patients (210 men and 401 women) listed for hip replacement because of osteoarthritis over an 18-month period were compared with an equal number of controls selected from the general population and individually matched for age, sex, and family practitioner. Information about suspected risk factors was obtained by a questionnaire administered at interview and a short physical examination. Obesity (odds ratio (OR) = 1.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-2.4; highest vs. lowest third of body mass index), previous hip injury (OR = 4.3, 95% CI 2.2-8.4), and the presence of Heberden's nodes (OR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.2-2.2) were independent risk factors for hip osteoarthritis among men and women. Hip injury was more closely related to unilateral as compared with bilateral disease. There were a negative association between cigarette smoking and osteoarthritis among men and a weak positive association with prolonged regular sporting activity. Obesity and hip injury are important independent risk factors for hip osteoarthritis, which might be amenable to primary prevention. Hip osteoarthritis may also arise as part of the polyarticular involvement found in generalized osteoarthritis.
Highlights
Hip osteoarthritis is a major cause of pain and disability
There was no clear evidence of a difference for obesity or Heberden's nodes. The results of this population-based case-control study suggest that obesity, previous hip injury, and a tendency to polyarticular involvement are independent risk factors for hip osteoarthritis
The effects of all three risk factors were apparent among men and women, hip injury was more closely linked to osteoarthritis risk among men
Summary
The authors explored individual risk factors for hip osteoarthritis in a population-based case-control study. A total of 611 patients (210 men and 401 women) listed for hip replacement because of osteoarthritis over an 18-month period were compared with an equal number of controls selected from the general population and individually matched for age, sex, and family practitioner. Obesity and hip injury are important independent risk factors for hip osteoarthritis, which might be amenable to primary prevention. Other suggested risk factors include obesity, mechanical insults to the joint from acute injury or repeated loading (e.g., by heavy lifting or sporting activities), and constitutionally determined predisposition to the development of osteoarthritis at multiple joint sites. The development of effective, population-based, preventive strategies against hip osteoarthritis requires more information about these risk factors and the ways in which they interact
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
