• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center

Show Search
Hide Search
  • Disease Information
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Psoriatic Arthritis
    • Ankylosing Spondylitis
    • Osteoarthritis
    • Gout
    • Osteoporosis
  • Patient Corner
    • Drug Information Sheets
    • Managing Your Arthritis
    • RheumTV – Patient Education Video Library
  • Our Research
    • Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
    • Current Research Studies
    • The Camille Julia Morgan Arthritis Research and Education Fund
  • About Us
    • Appointment Information
    • Contact Us
    • Our Faculty
    • Our Staff
    • Rheumatology Specialty Centers
  • Donate
Home / Arthritis Information / Osteoarthritis Information / Osteoarthritis: Epidemiology & Risk Factors

Osteoarthritis: Epidemiology & Risk Factors

Epidemiology

OA is the most common type of arthritis. Reported incidence and prevalence rates of OA in specific joints vary widely, due to differences in the case definition of OA. OA may be defined by radiographic criteria alone (radiographic OA), typical symptoms (symptomatic OA), or by both. Using radiographic criteria, the distal and proximal interphalangeal joints of the hand have been identified as the joints most commonly affected by OA, but they are the least likely to be symptomatic. In contrast, the knee and hip, which constitute the second and third most common locations of radiographic OA, respectively, are nearly always symptomatic. The first metatarsal phalangeal and carpometacarpal joints are also frequent sites of radiographic OA, while the shoulder, elbow, wrist and metacarpophalangeal joints rarely develop idiopathic OA.

Risk Factors for Osteoarthritis

  1. AGE: In demographic studies, age is the most consistently identified risk factor for OA, regardless of the joint being studied. Prevalence rates for both radiographic OA and, to a lesser extent, symptomatic OA rise steeply after age 50 in men and age 40 in women. OA is rarely present in individuals less than 35 years of age, and secondary causes of OA or other types of arthritis should strongly be considered in this population.
  2. SEX: Female gender is also a well-recognized risk factor for OA. Hand OA is particularly prevalent among women. In addition, polyarticular OA and isolated knee OA are slightly more common in women than men, while hip OA occurs more commonly in men. Interestingly, women are more likely to report pain in all affected joints, including the hip, than men.
  3. OBESITY: Cohort studies have demonstrated a clear association of obesity with the development of radiographic knee OA in women and a weaker association with hip OA. Whether obesity is a risk factor for the development of hand OA remains controversial. Regardless, this remains one of the most important modifiable  risk factors for OA and patients should be counseled appropriately.
  4. JOINT STRESS: Occupation-related repetitive injury and physical trauma contribute to the development of secondary (non-idiopathic) OA, sometimes occurring in joints that are not affected by primary (idiopathic) OA, such as the metacarpophalangeal joints, wrists and ankles. Although the prevalence of knee OA is greater in adults who have engaged in occupations that require repetitive bending and strenuous activities, an association with regular, intense exercise remains controversial. While early studies in joggers failed to find a higher prevalence of OA of the knee in joggers compared to non-joggers, a recent study of the Framingham data base in elderly adults provided the first longitudinal association between high level of physical activity and incident knee OA. Low-impact and recreational exercises are unlikely to constitute a risk factor for knee OA, and are likely to benefit the cardiovascular system. Prior menisectomy is a significant risk factor in men for the development of OA in the knee.
  5. GENETICS: Twin studies have demonstrated an important role for genetics in the development of OA. In some cases, this is associated with a particular genetic syndrome, such as Stickler syndrome or familial chondrocalcinosis. Genome-wide studies contiue to evaluate for particular chromosomes, particularly those involved in bone or articular cartilage structure and metabolism, and associations of familial OA.
Receive the Latest News from Johns Hopkins Rheumatology

Receive the Latest News from Johns Hopkins Rheumatology

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from Johns Hopkins Rheumatology.

Interested In

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Use of this Site

All information contained within the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center website is intended for educational purposes only. Physicians and other health care professionals are encouraged to consult other sources and confirm the information contained within this site. Consumers should never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something they may have read on this website.

Primary Sidebar

Recent Osteoarthritis News

Exercise Tips for Arthritis Patients

Risks and Benefits of Biologic Medications

How to Manage Rheumatoid Arthritis Flares

RheumTV Logo

Rheum.TV is an informational platform created to educate patients living with a rheumatic disease. With over 100 disease education videos produced by the team at Johns Hopkins Rheumatology.

Visit Rheum.TV

Secondary Sidebar

  • Epidemiology & Risk Factors
  • Signs and Symptoms
  • Differential Diagnosis
  • Treatment
  • Pathophysiology
  • Role of Body Weight in Osteoarthritis

Footer

Johns Hopkins Rheumatology

  • Johns Hopkins Rheumatology
  • Johns Hopkins Lupus Center
  • Johns Hopkins Lyme Disease Research Center
  • Johns Hopkins Myositis Center
  • Johns Hopkins Scleroderma Center
  • Johns Hopkins Sjögren’s Syndrome Center
  • Johns Hopkins Vasculitis Center

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Johns Hopkins Medicine

© 2023 Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center
Patient Privacy