Predictors of Osteoarthritis in Older Europeans: Insights From the SHARE Survey

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a widespread degenerative joint condition often seen in older age. Understanding risk factors is crucial for effective prevention and management. Objective: To identify factors predicting the onset of OA in older Europeans using the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE).
Methods: We conducted a longitudinal study of 40,274 individuals aged 50 and above from 13 European countries, followed for 10 years (waves 5–9). OA was identified through self-reporting. We investigated risk factors including demographics, handgrip strength (HGS), motor activities, depression, and comorbidities for predicting OA development. Survival regression analysis was employed to estimate the time to onset of OA. All participants were evaluated at baseline (wave 5) and then followed up for OA occurrence in subsequent waves (6–9).
Results: A total of 25.1% of participants developed OA during the study period. Women had a higher risk than men (hazard ratio: 1.65). Older age, lower HGS, higher BMI, depression, difficulty climbing stairs, and comorbidities increased the risk of OA. Survival analysis using a regression model revealed that older age was associated with a higher risk of developing OA after adjustment for all other covariates. Moreover, female gender, overweight/obesity, depression, high blood pressure (BP), and difficulty climbing stairs appeared as significant risk factors in reducing the years to OA development after adjustment for covariates.
Conclusion: Age, gender, lifestyle, and mental health are significant predictors of OA in older Europeans. Early identification and interventions targeting modifiable risk factors may help reduce the OA burden.