Objectives:

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common joint disease and causes important morbidity. In this study, we investigated symptomatic knee OA patients to determine the relationship between OA and obesity, age, pain and gender.

Methods:

Fifty patients (7 male, [14%]; 43 female, [86%]; mean age 57 ± 7 years) (>40 years old) who applied to our clinic between 1 September - 1 November 2008 and were diagnosed as gonarthrosis according to the ACR (American College of Rheumatology) criteria were included. Patient body mass index (BMI) was calculated as kg/m2, and 30 kg/ m2 or higher was considered as obese. Radiological assessment was done according to Kellgren-Lawrence criteria using front, back and side weight-bearing knee X-rays. Patients’ pain was assessed by the two parameters of horizontal visual analog scale (VAS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC).

Results:

The average values were: VAS: 7±1.9, BMI: 33.19±6.07, WOMAC - hardness: 4.5±2.2, WOMAC - pain: 11.7±4.1, and WOMAC - function: 39.3±10.5. We found high Kellgren-Lawrence staging in patients with high BMI. The relationship between BMI and radiological staging was statistically significant (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant relationship between WOMAC pain and VAS and Kellgren-Lawrence stages. (p>0.05).

Conclusion:

The results of our study show that in females, obesity has negative effects on pain and loss of function. Age is an important risk factor for OA. In knee OA, age, obesity and gender are risk factors. Age and obesity affect the radiological changes. Identification of possible risk factors for OA and informing patients about them are important for its prevention.

Keywords: Pain, gender, knee osteoarthritis, obesity, age