Abstract / Summary
Problem considered: Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that causes pain, stiffness, and functional impairment, especially in older persons. Knee osteoarthritis is the most common kind and a primary cause of disability. The purpose of this study was to assess the proportions and distribution of OA among persons aged 50 and older, as well as to investigate its relationship with demographic, residential, and occupational characteristics. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was undertaken on 234 persons aged 50 and older who lived in chosen urban and semi-urban regions of Kamrup district, Guwahati, Assam. Participants were clinically evaluated to determine the presence or absence of OA. Demographic information such as gender, diabetes status, residential type, co-residence arrangement, and occupation was collected. The analysis included descriptive statistics, Chi-square and Likelihood Ratio tests, and logistic regression, with a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: Of the 234 patients, 62% had knee osteoarthritis, 0.8% had hip OA, and 37.2% had no OA. The average age was 65.12 ± 4.31 years, with an average NPRS score of 2.88 ± 2.46. There was a strong correlation (p < 0.001) of OA with age and pain. There were significant connections with co-residence status, residential type, and occupation, but not with gender or diabetic status. Conclusion: Knee osteoarthritis is common among persons aged 50 and up. Early screening, lifestyle change, and physiotherapy-based therapies are critical for prevention and management in community settings.