Cohort Profile: Research on Osteoarthritis/Osteoporosis Against Disability study

Since the proportion of the ageing population in Japan is increasing, a comprehensive and evidence-based strategy is urgently required for the prevention of musculoskeletal diseases, including osteoarthritis (OA) and osteoporosis (OP), both of which affect the activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life (QOL) and increase morbidity and mortality.1–4 However, few prospective, longitudinal studies for the purpose of developing such a strategy have been conducted, and little information is available regarding the prevalence and incidence of musculoskeletal disorders, including OA and OP, as well as pain and disability in the Japanese population.5–10 It is difficult to design rational clinical and public health approaches for the diagnosis, evaluation and prevention of OA and OP without such epidemiological data. The Research on Osteoarthritis/osteoporosis Against Disability (ROAD) study was established in 2005 by N.Y., T.A., H.O., S.M., H.K. and K.N. (principal investigators). The principal investigators are affiliated with the 22nd Century Medical and Research Center, University of Tokyo.