Epidemiology of osteoarthritis: Prevalence, risk factors and functional impact

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis, is a major contributor to functional impairment and reduced independence in older adults. OA of the hip and knee are two of the most important causes of pain and physical disability in community-dwelling adults. Symptomatic hand OA is a common disease among the elderly, and impairs hand function, this impairment being largely mediated by pain. Like other chronic diseases, the etiology of OA...