Rheumatology Medical News about Osteoarthritis, Hip, Knee

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Risk factors for functional decline in osteoarthritis of the hip or knee
Current Opinion in Rheumatology, 08/17/09

Dekker J et al. - Study suggests that the information on risk factors for functional decline in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of hip and knee can be used pragmatically to construct prediction rules. Furthermore, this can be used to construct causative models to explain pain and activity limitations.

Methods

Article summarizes the recent studies on risk factors for functional decline in OA of the hip or knee

Results

Studies show slow worsening of pain and activity limitations over time
A considerable between-individual variation in the course of pain and activity limitations exists
Identification of risk factors for functional decline is therefore highly relevant
Risk factors for functional decline include:
- Characteristic physical impairments in OA:
  - pain, stiffness, reduced muscle strength,
  - laxity of the knee joint, proprioceptive inaccuracy,
  - poor standing balance and impaired range of joint motion
- Cognitive and visual impairments
- Comorbidity and overweight
- Psychological and social factors- anxiety, depression, fatigue, poor self-efficacy and social support
- Health behaviors and sociodemographic factors