Osteoarthritis prevalence varies by joint, with knee OA more prevalent than hip OA, impacting overall health and treatment approaches.
Economic burden of OA is significant, with rising prevalence from 1990 to 2019 attributed to factors such as aging population and obesity epidemic.
Deep dives
Prevalence and Impact of Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis affects over 500 million individuals globally, with knee osteoarthritis being more common than hip osteoarthritis. The condition's prevalence varies by joint, impacting overall health and necessitating different treatment approaches based on the joint involved.
Trends in Osteoarthritis Prevalence
Research indicates an increasing prevalence of osteoarthritis from 1990 to 2019, with knee osteoarthritis accounting for 60.6% of cases. The disease's economic burden is substantial, with direct healthcare costs comprising a notable percentage of GDP.
Factors Influencing Osteoarthritis Prevalence
The rising prevalence of osteoarthritis is attributed to factors such as population aging and the obesity epidemic. Positive associations exist between prevalence rates, social demographic index, and life expectancy, particularly impacting developed countries like the US and Australia.
Osteoarthritis is a highly prevalent disease affecting many developing and developed countries worldwide. The prevalence of OA depends on which joint is involved – whether it is the knee, hip or hand. Depending on what type of OA you have, it may also play a role in your overall health. On this week’s episode of Joint Action, we are joined by Qiang Liu to discuss the different sites of OA, their prevalence and risk factors.
Dr Qiang Liu is an orthopedic surgeon and associate professor who sees patients with joint diseases and does research on osteoarthritis in Peking University People’s Hospital. Qiang has published studies on the burden of osteoarthritis and exercise therapy for knee/hip osteoarthritis in prestige journals such as the Lancet Rheumatology and Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. Qiang has devoted himself to helping patients with osteoarthritis by applying and promoting strategies overlooked by the healthcare system in China. Together with Prof. Jianhao Lin, Qiang introduced the Good Life with Osteoarthritis from Denmark (GLA:DTM) to China together and has served as the program manager since 2017. They also opened the first private special clinic which focuses on delivering evidence-based non-surgical treatment for osteoarthritis in China.