The relationship between Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis in the Relationship between Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis in A Population of Patients Attending Sari Hospitals

Osteoarthritis and osteoporosis are the most important causes of skeletal disorders and there are controversies over the relationship between these diseases and other factors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between osteoarthritis and osteoporosis and also the association between these two diseases and patients’ demographic and lifestyle characteristics.

This cross-sectional study was performed in patients attending Sari hospitals in the fourth quarter of 2019 selected via census sampling. Knee radiography was performed and the severity of osteoarthritis joint was determined based on Kellgren-Lawrence criterion. Bone mineral density (BMD) was also measured by DXA scan. Data was collected using demographic questionnaire and lifestyle dimensions. Data were analyzed in SPSS V18.

A total of 77 patients were studied. The mean age of patients was 57.3±10.3 years and the majority were females (n= 73, 94.8%). Severity of osteoarthritis was determined as mild in 28 (36.36%), moderate in 31 (40.26%), and severe in 18 (23.38%) patients. The mean BMD level was 0.76±0.06 g/cm2. There was a significant difference between the severity of osteoarthritis and BMD level (P=0.008). Significant differences were found between patients with osteoarthritis and osteoporosis in age, sex, weight, and some lifestyle indicators (P<0.05).

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is associated with osteoporosis. But, demographic and lifestyle characteristics could have a major role in the incidence of these diseases.