Observational Study on osteoarthritis of the knee

Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common cause of functional impairment reducing independence in the elderly and increases cost. Aims: To assess factors associated with KOA Settings and Design: demographic and clinical data collected in a questionnaire. Methods and Material: Prospective cross-sectional study was performed over a period of 12 months. Patients attending orthopaedic clinic at Benghazi Medical Centre [BMC] with knee pain were included. Statistical analysis: Data were analysed by SPSS-version 23. Descriptive statistics to present numbers and percentages and Inferential statistics (x2 ) used to find difference in distribution of variables between groups, P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Six Hundred and Sixty-Four (664) patients with KOA were included, 76.7% females and 23.3% males. 78.6% of the females were housewives, 40% of the males were retired, 38.7% of these were heavy labourer. 26.2 % were diabetic, 32.4 % were hypertensive. Bilateral KOA were 40%, 60.1%, and 76.8% in patients aged ≤40, 41-60 years and >60 years respectively. Right knee was involved in (22%) in age group 40-60 years, left knee (38.3%) in age group ≤ 40years (p = 0.0001). Stage 4 KOA and Body Mass Index [BMI] ≥ 35 km2 (61% in males) and (68% in females) with (p 0.005). Conclusions: Obesity and female gender are significant risk factors for Osteoarthritis of the knee. Age and BMI determine the severity and the bilaterally of KOA.