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Clinical pattern of knee osteoarthritis in patients seen at rheumatology clinic of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Northwestern Nigeria
Abstract
Background: Although osteoarthritis is a frequent and important cause of pain and disability worldwide, its pattern of joint involvement varies from place to place.
Objective: To determine the clinical pattern of knee osteoarthritis in patients seen at the rheumatology clinic of Amino Kano Teaching Hospital.
Design: A prospective, cross sectional, descriptive, hospital-based study was carried out, from the 1st June to 30th November 2009.
Methods: Adults aged 18 years and above referred with knee pain were evaluated.
Results: One hundred and seventy four osteoarthritic knee involvements in 100 patients were evaluated. There were 27 males and 73 females, giving a F:M ratio of 2.7:1, with mean age of 56.92 ± 12.71 years. The mean BMI of the patients was 29.68 ± 4.87 Kg/M2 and 18% reported previous trauma to the knee. Eleven per cent of the patients had features of benign joint hypermobility syndrome. The median duration of knee pain before presentation was 30 months (range 3-180). Forty per cent of the patients had history of knee swelling, with a median duration of 24 months (range 1-120) before presentation. Majority of the patients (92%) had morning stiffness, with a median duration of 10 minutes (range 0-60). There was knee tenderness (in all patients), knee swelling ( 44%), knee crepitus ( 95%), knee deformities (34%), decreased range of motion (64%) and decreased quadriceps strength (82%) were observed. Majority of the patients’ radiographs showed KL grade 3 (44%) or 4 (38%) features. The Medial Tibio-Femoral (MTF) compartment was affected in 92% of the patients while the Lateral Tibio-Femoral (LTF) compartment was affected in 66% and the Patella-Femoral (PF) compartment in 80% of the patients. Associated hand OA was noted in 13% of the patients, while OA affecting other sites were observed in 32%. Majority of the patients were in functional class I or II.
Conclusion: The clinical pattern seen in our patients is similar to what was reported elsewhere in Africa and contrasts with reports in caucasians where associated generalized osteoarthritis and hip joint disease are more common.
Keywords: Clinical, Pattern, Knee, Osteoarthritis
Objective: To determine the clinical pattern of knee osteoarthritis in patients seen at the rheumatology clinic of Amino Kano Teaching Hospital.
Design: A prospective, cross sectional, descriptive, hospital-based study was carried out, from the 1st June to 30th November 2009.
Methods: Adults aged 18 years and above referred with knee pain were evaluated.
Results: One hundred and seventy four osteoarthritic knee involvements in 100 patients were evaluated. There were 27 males and 73 females, giving a F:M ratio of 2.7:1, with mean age of 56.92 ± 12.71 years. The mean BMI of the patients was 29.68 ± 4.87 Kg/M2 and 18% reported previous trauma to the knee. Eleven per cent of the patients had features of benign joint hypermobility syndrome. The median duration of knee pain before presentation was 30 months (range 3-180). Forty per cent of the patients had history of knee swelling, with a median duration of 24 months (range 1-120) before presentation. Majority of the patients (92%) had morning stiffness, with a median duration of 10 minutes (range 0-60). There was knee tenderness (in all patients), knee swelling ( 44%), knee crepitus ( 95%), knee deformities (34%), decreased range of motion (64%) and decreased quadriceps strength (82%) were observed. Majority of the patients’ radiographs showed KL grade 3 (44%) or 4 (38%) features. The Medial Tibio-Femoral (MTF) compartment was affected in 92% of the patients while the Lateral Tibio-Femoral (LTF) compartment was affected in 66% and the Patella-Femoral (PF) compartment in 80% of the patients. Associated hand OA was noted in 13% of the patients, while OA affecting other sites were observed in 32%. Majority of the patients were in functional class I or II.
Conclusion: The clinical pattern seen in our patients is similar to what was reported elsewhere in Africa and contrasts with reports in caucasians where associated generalized osteoarthritis and hip joint disease are more common.
Keywords: Clinical, Pattern, Knee, Osteoarthritis
