“Smart Health Choices: Detecting Early, Living Better”
Osteoarthritis, a leading cause of disability among musculoskeletal conditions, affects approximately 528 million people worldwide as of 2019, marking a 113% increase since 1990. With around 70% of cases involving those over 55, its global prevalence escalates due to aging populations. Even younger individuals, including athletes and those with joint injuries, aren't spared. Approximately 73% of people living with osteoarthritis are older than 55 years, and 60% are female.
Pain, swelling, stiffness, and difficulty moving joints are common osteoarthritis symptoms. Reduced mobility often leads to muscle weakness, hindering physical activity. While it can impact any joint, knees, hips, spine, and small hand joints are most susceptible. Symptoms may emerge gradually or suddenly post-injury, worsening progressively and potentially rendering the joint unusable.
Beyond physical discomfort, osteoarthritis restricts daily life, impeding work, home, and social activities. This chronic condition can lead to mental health issues, sleep disturbances, and strained relationships. Reduced activity levels also elevate risks for cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and diabetes.
Several factors heighten osteoarthritis risk:
• Joint injuries (fractures, strains)
• Pre-existing joint conditions (rheumatoid arthritis, gout)
• Metabolic diseases like diabetes
• Obesity, particularly affecting hips and knees
• Genetic predisposition
• Sociodemographic elements (age, female sex)
Early modifications are crucial for managing osteoarthritis. Weight management, exercise, and joint protection strategies can help alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. With increasing rates of obesity, injury, and aging populations, the prevalence of osteoarthritis is expected to rise globally. However, it's essential to note that osteoarthritis is not an inevitable consequence of aging.
The knee is the most frequently affected joint, followed by the hip and the hand. About 344 million people living with osteoarthritis experience severity levels (moderate or severe) that could benefit from rehabilitation. With aging populations and increasing rates of obesity and injury, the prevalence of osteoarthritis is expected to continue to expand globally.
• Stiffness (2 items): after first waking and later in the day.
• Physical Function (17 items): using stairs, rising from sitting, standing, bending, walking, getting in/out of a car, shopping, putting on / taking off socks, rising from bed, lying in bed, getting in/out of bath, sitting, getting on / off toilet, heavy domestic duties, light domestic duties.
Sources:
WHO - https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/osteoarthritis
OARSI - https://oarsi.org/education/patients
NHS - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/osteoarthritis/
NIH - https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/osteoarthritis/
Mayo - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoarthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351925
Questionaries used to monitor established OA:
- Western Ontario and McMaster University. WOMAC
https://www.womac.com/index.php - Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, KOOS
- International Knee Documentation Committee 2000, IKDC2000
- Early Osteoarthritis Questionnaire (EOAQ)
https://doi.org/10.1177/1759720X221131604 - Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure, JKOM
- The Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score, HAGOS
- Questionnaire to Identify Knee Symptoms, QuIKS
- Australian/Canadian Hand Osteoarthritis Index, AUSCAN
- Patient rate wrist/hand evaluation, PRWHE
- Short Form (36) Health Survey, SF-36
- The intermittent and constant pain score, ICOAP
- EuroQol, EQ-5D
- Pain Coping Inventory, PCI
Other check-up recommendations (will be extended):
