Khurram Irshad, Riffat Shafi, Muhammad Nasir Afzal.
Correlation of osteoarthritis with BMI, age and gender differencesin a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.
Rawal Med J Jan ;39(1):10-4.

Objective: The objective of this study was to correlate osteoarthritis with BMI, age and gender. Methods: This case control study was carried out at Shifa College of medicine/ Shifa International Hospital Islamabad for the duration of one year. Formal approval from the Institutional Review Board and Ethics Committee of Shifa College of Medicine/ Shifa International Hospital Islamabad was taken. The non-probability sampling technique was used. After getting informed consent, subjects were divided in two groups. Group A included 50 patients of osteoarthritis, who were diagnosed on the basis of radiographs by using Kellgren-Lawrence grading system. The radiographs were reported by the radiologist and orthopedic surgeon and Group B included 50 controls. Height and weight of patients and controls were recorded. Body mass index was calculated by applying formula BMI = Weight in kilograms / (Height in meters)2. Patients were divided in different age groups on the basis of gender, number of joints involved and severity of disease. Student t-test was used for continuous variables and number and percentages for categorical variables. Results: The results of this study show that body mass index is significantly associated with osteoarthritis as compared with controls (p value 0.000). Further analysis of data reveals that it is a progressive disorder and it is more common in females especially in old age. 86 % of the cases in younger age group (40-50 yrs) have unilateral joint involvement however in older age group (71-80 yrs) 100% of patients have bilateral joint involvements. Similarly 57 % of the patients have moderate disease in a younger age group as compared to 70 % of patients having severe (grade 4) disease in a older age group. Conclusion: Over weight and obesity is strongly associated with OA in our population, therefore weight reduction can decrease the disease burden and will help in minimizing morbidity associated with OA.

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