The Effect of Body Weight & Smoking on the Risk of Osteoarthritis of the Knee Joint

Abstract

background: Knee osteoarthritis is common in old adults. Determination of risk factors of knee osteoarthritis may help in its prevention and modification of treatment. The objective of this study is to determine the significance of some risk factors like obesity and smoking on knee osteoarthritis.Material & methods: The study included 132 outpatient attendants (102 females & 30 males) aged (53±9) years. Height and weight were measured for calculation of Body Mass Index; smoking habits were registered by questionnaire. Hemoglobin level, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate & C - reactive protein was measured for all participants.Results: The number of patients with knee osteoarthritis was 61(46%), of these; 39 patients (64%) were obese including 13 patients who were smokers.The mean & standard deviation of Hemoglobin & Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate were 12±1 & 24±16 respectively, while C - reactive protein was positive in 29 (22%) of participants.Smoking habit was significantly higher in patients with knee osteoarthritis (p<0.01) and in knee osteoarthritis obese patients (p<0.01) when compared to non- knee osteoarthritis subjects and obese non- knee osteoarthritis subjects; respectively.Conclusion In accordance with the literature, this study found a strong association between Body Mass Index and knee osteoarthritis risk. In addition, the increase in the prevalence of smoking in radiographically confirmed knee osteoarthritis was observed suggesting that smoking habit may be a potentially modifiable environmental risk factor for knee osteoarthritis.