Risk Factors for Knee Replacement Due to Primary OA
Risk Factors for Knee Replacement Due to Primary OA
Our findings confirm previous reports on a strong dose–response relationship between BMI and KR due to primary OA. A higher BMI entailed increased risk for severely symptomatic OA of the knee also within the range of BMI defined as normal. A higher level of physical activity at work increased the risk for KR later in life. The combination of heavy labor and a high BMI was particularly hazardous to the knee joint, leading to a 12-fold increase in risk for knee replacement among men, and a 16-fold increase among women.
Preventive measures should be directed at weight loss and work ergonomics, and be particularly aimed at doubly exposed persons.
Conclusions
Our findings confirm previous reports on a strong dose–response relationship between BMI and KR due to primary OA. A higher BMI entailed increased risk for severely symptomatic OA of the knee also within the range of BMI defined as normal. A higher level of physical activity at work increased the risk for KR later in life. The combination of heavy labor and a high BMI was particularly hazardous to the knee joint, leading to a 12-fold increase in risk for knee replacement among men, and a 16-fold increase among women.
Preventive measures should be directed at weight loss and work ergonomics, and be particularly aimed at doubly exposed persons.