Osteoarthritis of the hip: the patient behind the disease

Previous epidemiological studies suggested that patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip might constitute a definable subset of the population with characteristics that predispose them to joint failure. To investigate this possibility a comparative study of somatotype, bone density, disc degener...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of the rheumatic diseases 1982-04, Vol.41 (2), p.118-125
Main Authors: Solomon, L, Schnitzler, C M, Browett, J P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Bone and Bones - pathology
Calcinosis
Cartilage - pathology
Female
Femoral Neck Fractures - diagnostic imaging
Femoral Neck Fractures - epidemiology
Hip Joint - diagnostic imaging
Humans
Intervertebral Disc - pathology
Male
Middle Aged
Osteoarthritis - diagnostic imaging
Osteoarthritis - epidemiology
Radiography
Sex Factors
Somatotypes
South Africa
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Summary:Previous epidemiological studies suggested that patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip might constitute a definable subset of the population with characteristics that predispose them to joint failure. To investigate this possibility a comparative study of somatotype, bone density, disc degeneration, polyarticular joint degeneration, and soft-tissue calcification was carried out in 3 groups of individuals: (1) patients presenting with OA of the hip; (2) patients with acute femoral neck fracture; (3) healthy controls. OA of the hip was rare in patients with femoral neck fracture; conversely, patients with coxarthrosis did not have the low values for bone density seen in the fracture group. There were significant differences in somatotype in the 2 patient groups; 94% of those with OA were endomorphic mesomorphs. Polyarticular OA occurred with the same prevalence in the 2 groups of women, but among males there was a significantly greater involvement of knees and hands in the OA group than in the fracture group. The highest incidence of joint calcification was found in the fracture group and the lowest in the OA group. It was concluded that patients with OA of the hip form a definable subset of the general population. Within this group the appearances of hip OA are determined by 3 interacting factors: mechanical stress, cartilage degeneration, and bone response.
ISSN:0003-4967
1468-2060
DOI:10.1136/ard.41.2.118