Risk Factors in the Development of Knee Osteoarthritis

Abstract

AIM：We aim to determine risks factors associated with degenerative knee osteoarthritis in our environment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: An audit of patients with clinical and radiological features of Osteoarthritis of the knee was carried at an Orthopaedic clinic in sub-urban region in North west Nigeria between January 2016 and December 2016. Patients with prior history of trauma to the knee were excluded.

RESULTS: There were fifty-nine patients and the age range was between 36 and 83 years with a mean 55.5±11.09 and males were 34% and females were 66% giving a M:F ratio of 1:1.9. Bilateral knee affectation was seen in 50.8% and unilateral affectation in 49.2%. Fifty–six percent of patients were housewives while 30.5% were civil servant. Eight-one percent of patients were overweight and obese. Pain was the predominant clinical symptoms with 79.7% and pain and swelling was present in 18.6%. Sixty-four percent of patients has had symptoms with duration of more than 12 months. The relationship between the Body mass index (BMI) with the duration of symptoms, unilateral or bilateral affectation of the knee was not statistically significant p> 0.05. Overweight and obese patients have more severe forms of the disease. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDS) was used in 47.5% of cases while in 40.4% of cases intra articular steroid administration was administered in addition to NSAIDS.

Conclusion: Increasing age, the female gender and increased BMI are risk factors associated with the development of degenerative knee osteoarthritis.