Association between Cardiovascular Diseases and Knee Osteoarthritis

CONTEXT: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) such as ischemic heart diseases, heart failure, and stroke are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality (almost 30% of deaths) worldwide. Sociodemographic and clinical factors, such as obesity, diabetes, depressive symptoms, and physical inactivity, as factors behind the risk of CVDs. AIMS: This study aims to identify the factors behind the risk of CVDs in people with or at high risk for Knee Osteoarthritis (OA). SETTINGS & DESIGN: The baseline data (2004–2006) of a total of 4674 persons with or at high risk for knee OA aged 45–79 years from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI). METHODS & MATERIAL: This study adopted a cross-sectional study. Baseline data (2004–2006) from the Osteoarthritis Initiative were analyzed to determine the sociodemographic and clinical factors behind CVDs in 4674 persons. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to assess the data normality for continuous parameters. RESULTS: The results indicate 178 (62%) participants with age ≥65 years also had CVDs (p <.0001). Male gender had OR = 2.97 for heart attack and OR = 2.53 for heart failure making the implied probability of 33.7% and 39.5% respectively (p < 0.05). The OR and implied probability of diabetes and obesity for heart failure were 1.81 (55.2%) and 2.20 (45.5%) respectively (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide a rationale for further investigation of those factors behind the risk of CVDs in cross-sectional studies among this population.