Factors associated with radiographic osteoarthritis of the knee among community-dwelling Japanese women: the Hizen-Oshima Study

摘要

Background Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is the most common form of arthritis and is a major contributor to functional impairment and reduced independence in older adults. In Japan, knee OA is a frequent cause of pain and disability, but few epidemiological studies have examined the demographic or lifestyle factors that influence OA of the knee. We examine the risk factors for OA of the knee among Japanese community-dwelling women aged 40–89 years (mean age 64.2, SD 9.6 years).