Risk factors for cardiovascular disease and future osteoarthritis-related arthroplasty: a population-based cohort study in men and women from Malmo, Sweden

• Objective: To investigate the hypothesis that cardiovascular risk factors increase the likelihood of future osteoarthritis (OA)-related arthroplasty in adult men and women. Methods: Baseline cohort data on cardiovascular risk factors [age, socio-economic class, family history, obesity, smoking, glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure, and early cardiovascular disease (CVD) history] were linked to clinical registers of OA-related arthroplasty data. The study included 8749 women and 14 821 men with up to a 30-year follow-up. Results: In women, higher cardiovascular risk groups were more likely to have an OA outcome compared to the lowest risk quartile group (trend p < 0.001). The estimates were as follows: second quartile risk: rate ratio (RR) 2.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6-2.9, third quartile risk: 3.32 (2.5-4.5); and highest risk quartile: 3.47 (2.6-4.7). In men, higher cardiovascular risk groups were also more likely to have an OA outcome compared to the lowest risk quartile group (trend p = 0.001). The estimates were as follows: second quartile risk: RR 1.44, 95% CI 1.1-1.9; third quartile risk: 1.38 (1.1-1.8); and highest risk quartile: 1.67 (1.3-2.2). Conclusions: Our large cohort study with up to a 30-year follow-up period provides evidence to support the hypothesis of shared risk factors in CVD and OA, and the findings suggest an alternative aetiological process in the pathogenesis of OA.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Reumatologi och inflammation (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Rheumatology and Autoimmunity (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)