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Prevalence and status quo of osteoarthritis in Austria. Analysis of epidemiological and social determinants of health in a representative cross-sectional survey

Prävalenz und Status Quo von Arthrosen in Österreich. Analyse epidemiologischer und sozialer Gesundheitsdeterminanten anhand einer repräsentativen Querschnittsstudie

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Summary

Osteoarthritis has a major impact on mobility and functioning leading to impairment in activities of daily living and quality of life. The aim of our analysis was to reveal the prevalence of self-reported, doctor-diagnosed osteoarthritis with a representative population based survey, including data for 15,474 subjects. Prevalence of osteoarthritis was 11.9 % in men and 18.6 % in women. A total of 73.4 % of men and 74.9 % of women with osteoarthritis reported to have had severe pain in the last 12 months; 60.3 % of male and 67.0 % of female patients reported that the disease was treated within the last 12 months. Age, socio-economic parameters, overweight and obesity, as well as living in a rural area were significant predictors of osteoarthritis. Even if the onset of osteoarthritis may not be averted, public health and prevention programmes may improve quality of life significantly if they are adequately tuned to sex, age and personal capabilities.

Zusammenfassung

Arthrosen haben eine enorme Auswirkung auf die Mobilität und Funktionsfähigkeit und führen zu Einbußen in den Aktivitäten des täglichen Lebens und der Lebensqualität. Es war die Absicht unserer Analyse, die Prävalenz von selbstberichteten ärztlich diagnostizierten Arthrosen mittels einer repräsentativen bevölkerungsbasierten Studie mit einem Umfang von 15.474 Personen zu ermitteln. Die Arthroseprävalenz betrug 11,9 % bei Männern und 18,6 % bei Frauen. 73,4 % der betroffenen Männer und 74,9 % der Frauen berichteten über erhebliche Schmerzen in den letzten 12 Monaten. 60,3 % der männlichen und 67,0 % der weiblichen ArthrosepatientInnen berichteten, dass die Erkrankung in dieser Zeit behandelt wurde. Alter, sozio-ökonomische Parameter, Übergewicht und Adipositas sowie eine ländliche Wohnregion waren Prädiktoren für Arthrosen. Obwohl der Ausbruch einer Arthrose üblicherweise nicht verhindert werden kann, könnten Public Health- und Präventionsprogramme die Lebensqualität deutlich verbessern, wenn sie Geschlechts- und Altersaspekte sowie das persönliche Potential adäquat berücksichtigen.

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The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Social Medicine, Centre for Public Health, Medical University Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1090, Vienna, Austria

    Thomas Ernst Dorner &  Katharina Viktoria Stein

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  1. Thomas Ernst Dorner
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  2. Katharina Viktoria Stein
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Correspondence to Thomas Ernst Dorner.

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Dorner, T., Stein, K. Prevalence and status quo of osteoarthritis in Austria. Analysis of epidemiological and social determinants of health in a representative cross-sectional survey. Wien Med Wochenschr 163, 206–211 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10354-013-0174-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10354-013-0174-8

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