Osteoarthritis in the elderly: clinical and radiological findings in 79 and 85 year olds

Article Abstract:

The prevalence of osteoarthritis increases with age. However, most studies of the disease have assessed patients under 70 years, and the course of osteoarthritis in patients older than 70 is not clear. Data from a study of elderly people were used to improve understanding of osteoarthritis in older subjects. Groups consisting of 76 to 266 elderly subjects, aged 79 and 85 years, were interviewed and medically examined, radiographically (X-ray) examined, or medically and radiographically examined during several time periods. The prevalence of joint complaints was similar in both age groups, but women tended to have significantly more complaints from wrist, hand, and knee joints than did men. Both age groups had a similar prevalence of medical signs of the disease, while women generally had significantly more signs. This gender difference was particularly true of deformity of the terminal finger joints in 79-year-olds and knee crepitus (grating sound) at both ages. X-rays showed osteoarthritis more often on the right side, especially in finger joints in all women and in 79-year-old men. X-rays showed more osteoarthritis in women, especially in the 85-year-olds. X-rays did not show a greater prevalence in 85-year-olds, who, in fact, had a lower prevalence of wrist and hand involvement in both sexes and of knee involvement in men. Although medical and radiographic signs of osteoarthritis often existed independently of each other, there was significant correlation between the two in all joints. Further correlations were found, including a relation between knee joint complaints and signs such as deformity, crepitus and poor range of motion. Joint complaints also correlated with X-ray signs in hand and knee joints. The study indicates that joint symptoms and signs do not necessarily increase among elders who are more that 79 years of age. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Aged, Elderly, Diseases

---

Definition of hip osteoarthritis for epidemiological studies

Article Abstract:

Precise, standardized assessment of hip osteoarthritis such that imaging measurements correlate with symptoms and laboratory results remains elusive. This makes it difficult to compare findings from different research studies. All of the current schemes that use measurements from X-ray evaluations have drawbacks, among which are lack of correlation with pain and function. Evaluations of pain are subjective and vary over time. It may make more sense to abandon the goal of a single definition for hip osteoarthritis and concentrate on giving a detailed description of measurements and other criteria within each study.

---

Occurrence of osteoarthritis of the peripheral joints in European populations

Article Abstract:

Osteoarthritis in the finger, hip, and knee joints appears to be common in European populations, and prevalence rises with age. About 10% have osteoarthritic finger joints in their 40s, rising to 80% or more of adults over age 70. Osteoarthritis in the hip joint is less common, with studies reporting prevalences under 10% among populations over age 55. Prevalence for knee joint osteoarthritis rises from less than 10% in middle-age to about half of adults over age 75. However, these percentages do not reflect the degree to which the osteoarthritis causes pain, disability, or reduces quality of life.

Health aspects, Europeans

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Correlation of clinical and histopathologic features in clinically atypical melanocytic nevi. Clinical characteristics of malignant melanoma developing in persons with dysplastic nevi
• Abstracts: Infections in HIV-infected travelers: risks and prevention. Preventing infectious diseases during and after international adoption
• Abstracts: Clinical and microbiologic features of urethritis in men in Toulouse, France. Haemophilus parainfluenzae causing sexually transmitted urethritis: report of a case and evidence for a beta-lactamase plasmid mobilizable to Escherichia coli by an Inc-W plasmid
• Abstracts: Early detection and control of cancer in clinical practice. Health promotion and disease prevention in the elderly: comparison of house staff and attending physician attitudes and practices
• Abstracts: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and renal disease - still unsettled. Collaborative management of chronic illness

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.