Study on the Influencing Factors of Osteoarthritis in Southern China

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common chronic disease with numerous and interacting influencing factors, and current inadequate patient perceptions and behaviors in access to care contribute to the difficulties in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of osteoarthritis. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influencing factors of osteoarthritis (OA) in a southern Chinese population and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of OA. METHODS: A 1 : 2 matched case-control study was used to select 160 patients with OA from three hospitals in southern China as a case group. Three hundred and twenty cases of the same sex and similar age (within ± 2 years) were selected as the control group, and relevant data were collected for univariate and multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups of participants in terms of age, sex, and education (P > 0.05). Logistic regression statistical analysis showed that genetic factors (OR = 4.52, 95% CI = 1.56–7.83), body mass index (OR = 2.57, 95% CI = 1.16–5.84), alcohol consumption (OR = 3.81, 95% CI = 1.53–5.87), and a history of external joint limb injury (OR = 3.37, 95% CI = 1.67–5.24) would increase the risk of OA. In contrast, eating more fresh vegetables (OR = 0.08, 95% CI = 0.03–0.31), more fresh fruits (OR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.12–0.96), more soy products (OR = 0.11, 95% CI = 0.04–0.45), and exposure to sunlight (OR = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.14–0.71) would reduce the OA risk of OA. CONCLUSION: Obesity, alcohol consumption, and a history of joint trauma all increase the risk of OA in a southern Chinese population, whereas a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, soy products, and sun exposure would reduce the risk of OA. In the future, we should focus on improving patients' awareness of medical care and developing their self-management skills, improving GPs' treatment skills, improving negative attitudes of both doctors and patients, and promoting positive patient care.