The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of radiographic and symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) among community residents and to elucidate the relevant risk factors. This prospective, population-based study was conducted on residents over 50 yr of age in Chuncheon. Subjects completed an interview based on a standardized questionnaire and clinical evaluation including standardized weight bearing semiflexed knee A-P radiographs. We defined a subject with the Kellgren and Lawrence grade > or =2 as having radiographic knee OA (ROA). Symptomatic knee OA (SOA) was defined by the presence of both ROA and knee pain. We obtained symptom information and radiographs from 504 subjects. The prevalence of ROA and SOA was 37.3% and 24.2%, respectively. The prevalence of both ROA and SOA was significantly higher among women than among men. Multivariate analysis revealed that the presence of hypertension, and a manual occupation were significantly associated with the presence of ROA and SOA. Lower level of education was significantly associated with the presence of ROA, and female sex with the presence of SOA. In conclusion, both ROA and SOA are common in the aged adult population of Korea, with preponderance for women.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension/complications ; Interviews as Topic ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/complications/*epidemiology/radiography ; Pain/epidemiology ; Population Surveillance ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies ; Questionnaires ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Sex Factors ; Urban Health

This study investigated the epidemiology (prevalence, risk factors, and impact on quality of life) of knee pain and its severity in elderly Koreans. The subjects (n=3,054) were participants aged > or =50 yr from the fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted in 2010. Knee pain was defined as pain in the knee lasting > or =30 days during the most recent 3 months; severity was categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. EQ-5D was used to measure quality of life. The prevalence of knee pain was 23.1% (11.7% in men, 31.9% in women). The prevalences of mild, moderate, and severe knee pain were 4.3%, 9.1%, and 9.7%, respectively (2.8%, 5.4%, and 3.5% in men and 5.4%, 12.0%, and 14.4% in women). Old age, female gender, a low level of education, a manual occupation, obesity, and radiographic osteoarthritis were risk factors for knee pain, and were associated with increased severity of knee pain. Excluding men with mild knee pain, people with knee pain had significantly lower quality of life than those without knee pain. Early interventional approaches are needed to reduce the medical, social, and economic burden of knee pain in elderly Koreans.
Age Factors ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity/complications ; Odds Ratio ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/complications/epidemiology/radiography ; Pain/*epidemiology/etiology ; Prevalence ; *Quality of Life ; Questionnaires ; Republic of Korea ; Risk Factors ; Severity of Illness Index ; Sex Factors