Obesity and osteoarthritis of the knee : a case control study at one Primary Health Care Center

Abstract EN

Objective : The aim of this study was to assess the association between obesity and osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee in patients attending Marka Medical Center, Amman, Jordan, (a primary health care center) during one year (Feb 1997-Jan 1998).

Methods : A case control study involved 282 patients (104 males and 178 females) with OA of the knee and an equal number of randomly selected controls, matched for sex and age (± 3 years).

Results : The mean age of the patients was 52.2 years and of the controls 49.6 years.

The mean body mass index (BMI) of patients was 31.2 Kg / m2, compared with 29.1 Kg / nr of controls (P < 0.001) and the differences were statistically significant in both sexes (P < 0.001).

Conclusion : Obesity is a high risk factor for the development of knee OA and measures taken to reduce obesity assist prevention of knee OA.