Health and Lifestyles Factors Associated With Osteoarthritis among Older Adults in Portugal

Objective: This study aimed to identify independent associations of sociodemographic, functionality, physical activity, physical and mental health and osteoarthritis, among older adults. Methods: A sample of 1645 older adults (50+ years) observed by rheumatologists, from EpiReumaPt, a population based study was analyzed. A structured interview included sociodemographic data, chronic non-communicable disease and physical activity. Functional ability was assessed by the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index; depression and anxiety were assessed by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Osteoarthritis (knee OA and/or hip OA and/or hand OA) was defined after medical evaluation by rheumatologists according to expert opinion combined with the fulfillment of the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria. Results: 1059 participants (64.9%) met the osteoarthritis classification criteria. Statistically significant differences were found between persons with and without OA in all sociodemographic variables, non-communicable diseases, functional status, physical activity, depression and anxiety. In the unadjusted logistic regression models all variables were associated with osteoarthritis. The final adjusted model explained 32% of the variance. Those that are Higher age Oldest people, female with higher age, have gender, more than 5 comorbidities, and lower levels of function and and lower levels of physical activity, were more likely to meet the criteria for a diagnosis of osteoarthritis. Discussion: We have analyzed data from a population-based study and found that a diagnosis of osteoarthritis was independently associated with age, female gender, higher number of comorbidities, physical disability and low levels of physical activity. These results reinforce the usefulness of the development of a multidimensional assessment to design and test effective interventions for this population.