The analysis used data on more than 8,000 individuals participating in the NorStOP (North Staffordshire Osteoarthritis Project). This is a large, population-based, prospective cohort initiated in 2002 that includes adults aged 50 years or older who are registered at any of six general practices.
At baseline, the mean age of participants was 65 years, 51% were female, and just under 30% had OA. During 10 years of follow-up, 1,188 (14.7%) participants died.
Osteoarthritis was significantly associated with mortality in both unadjusted and adjusted analyses.
“For the average person presenting to general practice in North Staffordshire, there’s a 39.4% increased risk of mortality if they have osteoarthritis compared to if they don’t,” Mr. Parmar said.