RESEARCH - Quadriceps strength linked to lower risk for symptomatic knee OA

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Quadriceps Strength Linked to Lower Risk for Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis

Laurie Barclay, MD

September 4, 2009 —- Quadriceps strength does not predict the

occurrence of radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA) in either sex but

predicts lower incidence of painful or stiff knee OA in women,

according to the results of a longitudinal cohort study reported in

the September 15 issue of Arthritis Care & Research.

" Knee...OA is a major public health concern worldwide and one of the

foremost causes of chronic disability in older adults, " write Neil

Segal, MD, MS, from the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in

Iowa City, and colleagues. " There is evidence that muscle dysfunction

is involved in the pathogenesis of knee OA. "

In the Multicenter Knee Osteoarthritis Study (MOST), 3026 men and

women aged 50 to 79 years were observed for a 30-month period to

determine whether knee extensor strength would predict incident

radiographic or symptomatic knee OA characterized by pain, aching, or

stiffness on most days of the preceding month. For the study of

radiographic knee OA, 2519 knees were evaluated in 1617 participants

who did not have radiographic tibiofemoral OA at baseline, and 3392

knees were assessed for combined radiographic OA and symptomatic OA in

2078 participants without this combination of findings at baseline.

Using an isokinetic dynamometer, the investigators determined

quadriceps muscle strength for knee extension and the balance of

muscle strength between the hamstrings and quadriceps (H:Q ratio) as a

measure of lower extremity musculature. Knee radiographs to determine

the presence of OA were performed at baseline and at study end, and a

telephone screen at both time points identified the presence of

frequent knee pain, aching, or stiffness. Other measurements included

height, weight body mass index (BMI), femoral neck bone mineral

density (BMD), and physical activity status.

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Read the full article here:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/708426

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