• Jian-hao Lin, Xiao-zheng Kang, Marlene Fransen, Hu Li, Yan Ke, Zhi-qiang Wang, Yuqing Zhang, and Steve Su.
• Arthritis Institute, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China. jianhao_lin@yahoo.com
• Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2010 Jun 1;90(21):1477-81.

ObjectiveTo estimate the burden of disability and health services use by people with knee pain, with or without radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis (OA), in rural northern China.MethodsA population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1030 residents of Wuchuan County, Inner Mongolia, aged 50 years old and over. The participants completed an interviewer-based questionnaire and obtained bilateral weight-bearing posterior-anterior semi-flexed knee radiographs.ResultsOf 1027 participants with knee radiographs, 513 (50%) participants reported knee pain in most days of at least a month over the past 12 months. Of those with knee pain, 109 (21%) had radiographic OA (Kellgren Lawrence grade > or =2) in symptomatic knees. Adjusting for age, gender, BMI, education and back pain, the presence of knee pain was associated with a significantly greater difficulty in walking, climbing 10 steps, stooping, performing cleaning chores and preparing meals. Among 513 subjects with knee pain, the presence of radiographic disease was significantly associated with the presence of unbearable pain (36% vs. 59%), restricted activity (39% vs. 64%), use of NSAIDs (78% vs. 88%) and consulting a doctor over the last 12 months (33% vs. 59%).ConclusionKnee pain is associated with significant physical disability in rural China The prevalent use of NSAIDs for knee pain and a low use of knee surgery should be of particular concerns. These findings will be useful to guide the distribution of future health care resources and preventive strategies.

20 keywords...

hide…