Prevalence Of Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis Research Articles

Incidence density and relative rate assessment of knee osteoarthritis with respect to BMI, age and gender conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Hyderabad, India

Background: Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis associated with limitation in mobility. Weight bearing joints of axial and peripheral skeleton are primarily affected. Prevalence of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis among men and women is 10% and 13%. Ageing and obesity epidemic are the leading causes for development of osteoarthritis in a given population. Methods: The study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Hyderabad, India. Data was gathered from orthopedic department on a daily basis during the study duration. Patients with any grade of Kellgren-Lawrence scale of knee osteoarthritis were included in the study and incidence density, relative rate, p-value were assessed. Results: During the study course, a total of 100 patients were enrolled. Overweight, obese and healthy patients contributed to 51%, 33% and 16% of incidence density with relative rate as 1.04, 0.49 and 0.19 respectively (p-value=0.042). Incidence density of patients ≥45 years and <45 years was 83% and 17% with relative rate as 4.9 and 0.2 (p value<0.0001). Incidence density in males and females was 34% and 66% with relative rate as 1.94 and 0.51 (p-value<0.0001). The data analyzed is statistically significant. Conclusions: A direct proportionality between people exceeding normal BMI range and progression of knee osteoarthritis is observed due to strain manifested on diarthrodial joint by overweight patients. Increase in age is associated with onset of knee osteoarthritis because of age related-changes seen in cartilage and loss of chondrocytes. Women are more affected with knee osteoarthritis when compared to men due to irregularities in hormones post-menopause.

Prevalence of Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis in Saudi Arabia and Associated Modifiable and Non-Modifiable Risk Factors: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis (OA) in Saudi Arabia and the association between knee OA and modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. A self-reported, population-based, cross-sectional survey between January 2021 and October 2021 was conducted. A large, population-representative sample (n = 2254) of adult subjects aged 18 years and over from all regions of Saudi Arabia was collected electronically using convenience sampling. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) clinical criteria were used to diagnose OA of the knee. The knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) was used to investigate the severity of knee OA. This study focused on modifiable risk factors (body mass index, education, employment status, marital status, smoking status, type of work, previous history of knee injury, and physical activity level) and non-modifiable risk factors (age, gender, family history of OA, and presence of flatfoot). The overall prevalence of knee OA was 18.9% (n = 425), and women suffered more compared to their male counterparts (20.3% vs. 13.1%, p = 0.001). The logistic regression analysis model showed age (OR: 1.06 [95% CI: 1.05-1.07]; p < 0.01), sex (OR: 2.14 [95% CI: 1.48-3.11]; p < 0.01), previous injury (OR: 3.95 [95% CI: 2.81-5.56]; p < 0.01), and obesity (OR: 1.07 [95% CI: 1.04-1.09]; p < 0.01) to be associated with knee OA. A high prevalence of knee OA underlines the need for health promotion and prevention programmes that focus on modifiable risk factors to decrease the burden of the problem and the cost of treatment in Saudi Arabia.

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol in geriatric patients underwent unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: A retrospective cohort study.

The enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathway was formulated with the aim to reduce surgical stress response, alleviate pain and guarantee the best-fit experience of patients' perioperative period. However, the application of ERAS in geriatric patients who underwent unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) was relatively lacking. We hypothesize that UKA patients can benefit from the ERAS protocol. A total of 238 patients were recruited in this retrospective study from August 2018 to December 2021, and Oxford phase III UKA was applied to all patients. ERAS pathway included nutrition support, anesthesia mode, interoperative temperature, and blood pressure control, application of tranexamic acid, early initiation of oral intake and mobilization, and pain management. Demographic data, operation-relative variables, and postoperative complications were analyzed. Forgotten Joint Scores, Oxford Knee Score, Lysholm score, numerical rating scale, and knee range of motion were introduced to estimate the activity function and pain of surgical knee, and these variables were compared between the 2 groups. There were 117 patients in the ERAS group and 121 patients in the traditional group, respectively. The ERAS group had a shorter length of surgical incision and less intraoperative blood loss. Postoperative hemoglobin and albumin of patients in the ERAS group were better than those in the traditional group (P < .05), after 17.0 ± 10.8 months follow-up, the numerical rating scale, Lysholm, Oxford Knee Score, Forgotten Joint Scores, and knee range of motion of patients in the ERAS group were significantly better than the traditional group. The length of hospital stay for patients who underwent ERAS was 11.7 ± 3.8 days and the postoperative complication rate was lower for the ERAS group patients (P = .000 and 0.031). ERAS can reduce the length of hospital stay, and patients can achieve excellent postoperative knee function. The formulation and implementation of the ERAS protocol require good collaboration across multiple disciplines, as well as a deep understanding of the existing clinical evidence and the concept of the ERAS program.

Prevalence and factors associated with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis in golfers: A cross-sectional study among professional golfers in Kenya

Objectives: Golf has been associated with abnormal loading conditions to the knee joint due to the repetitiveness and biomechanical requirements of the golf swing. This study seeks to evaluate the prevalence and factors attributing to symptomatic knee osteoarthritis among professional golfers in Kenya. Materials and Methods: Participants included all professional golfers in Kenya above 18 years. Golfer’s demographics and golf-related characteristics were recorded and both knee’s function assessed using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). Participants with a KOOS &lt;85% in two or more parameters underwent bilateral plain knee radiographic assessment and graded according to the Kellgren and Lawrence (K&amp;L) classification. Results: Fifty participants were recruited. All male, only two were left handed, median age was 41 years (34–49). More than half were found to have a body mass index (BMI) of greater than 25 kg/m2. The average duration of active golf participation was 16.5 years (SD = 4.2). Eighteen out of 100 knees scored &lt;85% in two parameters of the KOOS. According to the K&amp;L, 72% had Grade 2 and above. Duration of active golf involvement (OR – 1.114) and BMI above 25 kg/m2 (OR – 1.107) were found to be positively associated with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis although not statistically significant (P = 0.289 and 0.3481). Conclusion: Golf presents a prevalence of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis of 18% comparable to high-impact sports. The associated factors include BMI &gt;25 kg/m2 and longer duration of active golf participation although both not statistically significant.

Correlation Between Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis and Serological Examination: A Longitudinal Study in China

<i>Background</i>: The correlation between symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) and whole blood cell count (CBC) has not been well studied based on large-scale population. The purpose of this study was to analyze its correlation with serological examination, especially with CBC tests. <i>Methods</i>: Samples in our study was derived from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), wave 3. Blood samples from 13,420 participants were collected. We define a subject as symptomatic knee OA patient if both questions (Individuals were asked whether they were troubled with knee pain and had a doctor-diagnosed arthritis) were responded positively. A total of 12,952 individuals were classified into four groups. Post hoc multiple comparisons were conducted then. The criterion of significance is p<0.05. <i>Results</i>: Among the 20967 people included in the analysis, 19692 answered the diagnosis questions. Our results showed that the prevalence of symptomatic knee OA was 9.18%. The level of hemoglobin (Hgb) (13.34±1.80 g/dl) in patients with symptomatic knee OA was significantly lower than that in other individuals. The HCT level of symptomatic knee OA individuals (40.53±5.32%) was significantly lower than that of other individuals. Patients with arthritis but without ongoing knee pain had the lowest PLT level (199.09±76.88 × 109/L） when compared with other groups. <i>Conclusion</i>: symptomatic knee osteoarthritis is common in China. Patients with symptomatic knee OA showed a downward trend in the serological results of hemoglobin and hematocrit compared with other populations. More research on symptomatic knee osteoarthritis needs to be carried out.

The prevalence of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis and its correlation analysis with complete blood count: a multicenter cross-sectional study in China

Purpose: The present study aims to estimate the prevalence of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) and analyze the correlation between symptomatic knee osteoarthritis and complete blood count (CBC) Results through large sample data from multiple centers in China. Methods: Nationally representative sample was derived from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), a national random sample of the Chinese population, wave 3, which was mainly completed in 2015. A total of 21,100 individuals were interviewed, blood samples from 13,420 individuals were collected then. Individuals were asked whether they were often troubled with pain, after that, they’ll be asked to point out the site(s) of the body where he or she was currently experiencing pain, knee part included. At the same time, each individual was asked if he or she had a doctor-diagnosed arthritis. We define a subject as a symptomatic knee OA if he or she responded both questions positively. After data cleaning, a number of 12,952 individuals were categorized into four groups: (1) group 1: symptomatic knee OA individuals, (2) group 2: individuals who are suffering from knee pain but have no arthritis, (3) group 3: individuals who are diagnosed with arthritis but have no knee pain, (4) group 4: individuals without arthritis and knee pain. The flow chart of this study was shown in Figure 1. Post hoc multiple comparisons were conducted to analyze the CBC (hemoglobin, hematocrit, white blood cell count, platelet counts and mean corpuscular volume included) level in different groups. The criterion of significance is p < 0.05. Results: Among the 20,967 individuals included in the analysis, 19,692 answered both the knee pain and the doctor-diagnosed arthritis question, the prevalence of symptomatic knee OA was 9.18% (1,808 individuals). The CBC level (WBC, HGB, HCT, MCV, PLT) of the four groups was shown in Table 1 and Figure 2. Statistics showed that the hemoglobin level of symptomatic knee OA individuals (13.34±1.80 g/dL) was lower than that of other individuals (group 2 to 4: 13.51±1.98 g/dL, 13.62±2.03 g/dL, 13.82±1.92 g/dL, respectively), and the difference was statistically significant. The hematocrit level of symptomatic knee OA individuals (40.53±5.32 %) was lower than that of other individuals (group 2 to 4: 40.64±5.84 %, 41.23±5.83 %, 41.80±5.62 %, respectively), and the difference was statistically significant. The platelet counts level in arthritis individuals without knee pain was the lowest (199.09±76.88 ×109/L) when compared to other groups (group 1: 203.84±74.05 ×109/L, group 2: 208.21±81.03 ×109/L, group 4: 207.33±74.81 ×109/L). The level of white blood cell count and mean corpuscular volume showed no significance between the four groups. The significance between CBC level in the four groups was shown in Table 2. Conclusions: Symptomatic knee OA in China was still prevalent, the prevalence of symptomatic knee OA in 2015 was higher than that in 2011. Individuals with symptomatic knee OA had a tendency to lower hemoglobin and hematocrit, future research should pay more attention to effective treatment, management and prevention of symptomatic knee OA.View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT)View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT)View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT)

Assessing Fear-Avoidance Belief Questionnaire and Quality of Life in Housewives with Knee Osteoarthritis : A Research Protocol

Introduction - Osteoarthritis (OA) is an inflammatory disorder of cartilage, degeneration of synovial fluid,osteophyte formation, thinning of joint space and sub-chondral sclerosis. The prevalence of osteoarthritis inIndia was found to be around 28.7%. Females are generally more affected than males with the ratio of 2:1.Of all the joints knee and hip joint are seen to be most commonly affected joint in OA. Prevalence of kneepain is common amongst housewives due to prolong standing and frequent bending. Strenuous physicalactivity, especially activities requiring kneeling, knee-bending, stair climbing, squatting, prolonged standingas well as knee injury and trauma have also been linked to a high prevalence of symptomatic knee OA. KneeOA causes pain of various degree depending upon the severity of disease which can cause fear in patients.The fear related to pain can results in decrease in quality of life.Purpose - Purpose of this study was to assess fear amongst housewives related to OA using fear-avoidancebelief questionnaire and the effects of fear on their daily life using WHOQOL-BREF.Methodology - 200 housewives will be selected according to exclusion and inclusion criteria. Their kneeradiography was done to look for level of OA. Then those ladies were interview to find their fear related todisease and its effects and how that affects their quality of life.Results - Results are awaited till the study is completed.Conclusion - Conclusion of this study depends upon the result of this study.

BONE MINERAL DENSITY AND TRABECULAR BONE SCORE IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN WITH KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS AND OBESITY

The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar spine, femoral neck, trabecular bone score (TBS) and body mass index (BMI), in postmenopausal women with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Materials and methods: The study group comprised 359 postmenopausal women aged 50-89 years. They were divided into 2 groups: I group - 117 postmenopausal women with symptomatic knee OA and II group -242 women with a normal functional activity of knee joints. Analysis of data was performed taking into account their BMD of lumbar spine (L1-L4) and femoral neck, measured by the Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) Hologic (Discovery WI, USA, 2016). TBS of L1-L4 was detected by TBS insight® software (MedImaps, Pessac, France), and BMI classified by World Health Organization (WHO). Results: In postmenopausal women with obesity prevalence of symptomatic knee OA was detected in 41.1% of cases. However, in women with normal BMI knee OA was revealed in 29.0% of women. The highest level of knee OA in obese women aged 70-79 years - 45.8%. According to a chi-squared (χ2) test, a significantly higher level of BMI was detected in postmenopausal women with OA (χ2=5.05, p=0.02). Conclusion: Women with a symptomatic OA had a significantly higher BMD of lumbar spine compared with women who had a normal functional activity of knee. Significant negative correlation were detected between TBS and BMI, and significant positive correlations between lumbar spine BMD and BMI.

Validation of screening questionnaires for evaluation of knee osteoarthritis prevalence in the general population of Singapore.

BackgroundThe prevalence of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in Singapore is unknown. We aimed to: (i) validate questionnaires to screen for symptomatic KOA; and (ii) estimate the prevalence of symptomatic KOA in Singapore using the validated algorithms.MethodsSubjects aged ≥50 years were evaluated for symptomatic KOA based on American College of Rheumatology clinical and radiographic criteria in a rheumatology clinic, and completed three sets of adapted screening questionnaires. The better performing screening questionnaire with adequate sensitivity and specificity was adminitered to a nationally representative sample of survey subjects (n = 3364) to estimate the weighted prevalence of symptomatic KOA in Singapore.ResultsOut of 146 subjects evaluated in the clinic, 45 had symptomatic KOA. A screening algorithm which consisted of three KOA symptoms or one symptom plus physician‐diagnosed KOA produced high specificity (0.95, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.88–0.98) but low sensivity (0.44, 95% CI: 0.30–0.60). Replacing the term ‘KOA’ with ‘physician‐diagnosed ageing‐related knee problem’ improved the sensivity (0.62, 95% CI: 0.47–0.76) without significantly compromising the specificity (0.87, 95% CI: 0.79–0.93). The prevalence of symptomatic KOA weighted to the Singapore population distribution were 4.7% and 11%, using the most conservative and more liberal algorithms, respectively. There was a sharp rise in prevalence after age of 40. The weighted prevalence of KOA was higher in women and among Indian and Malay than Chinese.ConclusionOur study adapted and validated questionnaires to the local context to screen for symptomatic KOA. We estimated the prevalence of symptomatic KOA in Singapore utilizing the better‐performing algorithms.

Number of Persons With Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis in the US: Impact of Race and Ethnicity, Age, Sex, and Obesity.

The prevalence of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) has been increasing over the past several decades in the US, concurrent with an aging population and the growing obesity epidemic. We quantify the impact of these factors on the number of persons with symptomatic knee OA in the early decades of the 21st century. We calculated the prevalence of clinically diagnosed symptomatic knee OA from the National Health Interview Survey 2007-2008 and derived the proportion with advanced disease (defined as Kellgren/Lawrence grade 3 or 4) using the Osteoarthritis Policy Model, a validated simulation model of knee OA. Incorporating contemporary obesity rates and population estimates, we calculated the number of persons living with symptomatic knee OA. We estimate that approximately 14 million persons had symptomatic knee OA, with advanced OA comprising more than half of those cases. This includes more than 3 million persons of racial/ethnic minorities (African American, Hispanic, and other). Adults younger than 45 years of age represented nearly 2 million cases of symptomatic knee OA and individuals between 45 and 65 years of age comprised 6 million more cases. More than half of all persons with symptomatic knee OA are younger than 65 years of age. As many of these younger persons will live for 3 decades or more, there is substantially more time for greater disability to occur, and policymakers should anticipate health care utilization for knee OA to increase in the upcoming decades. These data emphasize the need for the deployment of innovative prevention and treatment strategies for knee OA, especially among younger persons.

The Prevalence of Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis in China: Results From the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study.

To estimate the prevalence of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) in China. Using data collected from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, a population-based longitudinal survey conducted between 2011 and 2012, we estimated the prevalence of symptomatic knee OA according to sex, age, rural/urban area, socioeconomic status, and geographic region. Among 17,128 individuals (8,367 men and 8,761 women; mean age 59.8 years) included in the analysis, 8.1% had symptomatic knee OA. The prevalence of symptomatic knee OA was higher in women (10.3%) compared with men (5.7%) (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.88 [95% confidence interval 1.64-2.17]). The prevalence of symptomatic knee OA increased with age (P for trend <0.01). Symptomatic knee OA was more common in rural areas than in urban areas (OR 1.84 [95% confidence interval 1.46-2.31]). The prevalence of symptomatic knee OA was lower among individuals who had received more years of education and who lived in more developed areas (P for trend <0.01). The North and East regions of China had the lowest prevalence of symptomatic knee OA (5.4% and 5.5%, respectively), followed by the North-East (7.0%), South-Central (7.8%), and North-West (10.8%) regions. The prevalence was highest (13.7%) in subjects living in the South-West region. Symptomatic knee OA in China was prevalent, and the prevalence varied according to sociodemographic, economic, and geographic factors. Epidemiologic studies identifying risk factors that contribute to variation in the prevalence of symptomatic knee OA in China are warranted.

Update on basic and clinical aspects of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of causes responsible for loss of labor productivity among the mid-aged and the elderly. Its main pathological changes include progressive loss of articular cartilage and formation of osteophytes, with joint pain and deformity and loss of joint function as the manifestations, resulting in decreased activity and quality of life (QoL). According to the latest demographic data, the prevalence of knee OA in China was 1.3-11.1%, while the prevalence of symptomatic knee OA was 19.4% in patients aged 60 years or older.

The prevalence of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis in China: Results from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study

The prevalence of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis in China: Results from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study

Long-Term (1-Year) Safety and Efficacy of a Single 6-mL Injection of Hylan G-F 20 in Indian Patients with Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis

Introduction: The prevalence of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) among Asians ≥65 years is estimated to double by 2040. This study was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a single, 6-mL intra-articular injection of hylan G-F 20 in Indian patients with knee OA at 26 weeks through to 52 weeks.Methods: This study was an open-label, multicentre, phase 4 clinical trial. Enrolled patients (N=394) were ≥30 years old with Kellgren-Lawrence grade 1–3 OA; all patients received hylan G-F 20. WOMAC, SF-12, PTGA, and COGA scores, and OA medication use were evaluated at weeks 1, 4, 12, 26, 39, and 52 (initial treatment phase). At 26, 39, or 52 weeks, eligible patients could participate in a repeat treatment phase. McNemar-Bowkers, paired t-tests and ANOVA analyses were performed (alpha=0.05).Results: At 26 weeks, statistically significant changes from baseline were observed in all efficacy parameters, including the primary efficacy endpoint of WOMAC A1 (p<0.0001). Improvements continued for 52 weeks. No significant changes occurred in concomitant medication use. Eleven patients (2.8%) were re-injected at week 26 or 52. After repeat injection, statistically significant decreases were observed in WOMAC A1, WOMAC C and PTGA scores (p≤0.028). Twenty-three (5.8%) patients reported 26 local target knee AEs.Conclusion: Among Indian patients within this study, a 6-mL hylan G-F 20 injection was well tolerated and effective in treating symptomatic knee OA with significant long-term (1 year) improvement of outcomes. When needed, repeat treatment was safe and efficacious for 4 weeks.Trial Registration: Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI/2010/091/000052) www.ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/login.php.

Obesity, metabolic abnormality, and knee osteoarthritis: A cross-sectional study in Korean women

Background. This study aimed to analyze the association between knee osteoarthritis and four body size phenotypes defined by the presence or absence of metabolic abnormality and obesity.Mehods. This was a cross-sectional study using data from 1,549 female participants of the Fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Knee osteoarthritis was defined as a Kellgren–Lawrence grade of ≥ 2. Metabolically abnormal state was defined as presence of more than one abnormality among five metabolic risk factors. Obesity was defined using body mass index. Participants were grouped into one of the four body size phenotypes: metabolically healthy normal weight (MHNW), metabolically abnormal but normal weight (MANW), metabolically healthy obesity (MHO), and metabolically abnormal obesity (MAO).Results. The distribution of each body size phenotype was as follows: MHNW 54.7%, MANW 30.7%, MHO 4.3%, and MAO 10.3%. Prevalence of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis was higher in MANW than in MHNW, and in MAO than in MHO. In multivariable analysis, the association between symptomatic knee osteoarthritis and the body size phenotypes was as follows (OR [95% CI]): MHNW 1.00 (reference), MANW 1.54 (1.15–2.07), MHO 1.61 (0.83–3.13), and MAO 3.47 (2.35–5.14).Conclusions. Obesity showed closest association with knee osteoarthritis when accompanied by metabolic abnormality.

How important are perturbation responses and joint proprioception to knee osteoarthritis?

osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and one of the leading causes of pain and disability worldwide ([8][1]). The knee is the most affected lower limb joint, with lifetime prevalence of symptomatic knee OA estimated to be 44.7% ([10][2]). Although knee OA is characterized by

AB0605 Evaluation of three screening questionnaires for use in identifying symptomatic knee osteoarthritis in the general population

BackgroundKnee Osteoarthritis (OA) causes large economic burden worldwide. Accurate prevalence estimates helps evaluation of its impact and guide resource allocation. Screening questionnaires with reasonable accuracy offer less costly alternative to...

Cumulative weight-bearing from workplace caused dose-dependent osteoarthritis of the knee in salt workers

ObjectivesTo determine whether cumulative weight-bearing from workplace was dose-dependently related to risk of knee osteoarthritis (OA).MethodsThe registered workers of two Salt Production Societies, Chigu and Beimen, in southern Taiwan between...

Health Coverage and Its Relation to the Prevalence and Intensity of Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis

ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine whether health coverage among older adults is associated with (1) the prevalence of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) and (2) disablement in those with symptomatic knee...

Impact of obesity and knee osteoarthritis on morbidity and mortality in older Americans.

Obesity and knee osteoarthritis are among the most frequent chronic conditions affecting Americans aged 50 to 84 years. To estimate quality-adjusted life-years lost due to obesity and knee osteoarthritis and health benefits of reducing obesity prevalence to levels observed a decade ago. The U.S. Census and obesity data from national data sources were combined with estimated prevalence of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis to assign persons aged 50 to 84 years to 4 subpopulations: nonobese without knee osteoarthritis (reference group), nonobese with knee osteoarthritis, obese without knee osteoarthritis, and obese with knee osteoarthritis. The Osteoarthritis Policy Model, a computer simulation model of knee osteoarthritis and obesity, was used to estimate quality-adjusted life-year losses due to knee osteoarthritis and obesity in comparison with the reference group. United States. U.S. population aged 50 to 84 years. Quality-adjusted life-years lost owing to knee osteoarthritis and obesity. Estimated total losses of per-person quality-adjusted life-years ranged from 1.857 in nonobese persons with knee osteoarthritis to 3.501 for persons affected by both conditions, resulting in a total of 86.0 million quality-adjusted life-years lost due to obesity, knee osteoarthritis, or both. Quality-adjusted life-years lost due to knee osteoarthritis and/or obesity represent 10% to 25% of the remaining quality-adjusted survival of persons aged 50 to 84 years. Hispanic and black women had disproportionately high losses. Model findings suggested that reversing obesity prevalence to levels seen 10 years ago would avert 178,071 cases of coronary heart disease, 889,872 cases of diabetes, and 111,206 total knee replacements. Such a reduction in obesity would increase the quantity of life by 6,318,030 years and improve life expectancy by 7,812,120 quality-adjusted years in U.S. adults aged 50 to 84 years. Comorbidity incidences were derived from prevalence estimates on the basis of life expectancy of the general population, potentially resulting in conservative underestimates. Calibration analyses were conducted to ensure comparability of model-based projections and data from external sources. The number of quality-adjusted life-years lost owing to knee osteoarthritis and obesity seems to be substantial, with black and Hispanic women experiencing disproportionate losses. Reducing mean body mass index to the levels observed a decade ago in this population would yield substantial health benefits. The National Institutes of Health and the Arthritis Foundation.