According to a just-published analysis, low-back pain (LBP) is associated with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip — but not of the knee.

The study pooled tracked 983 Ontario residents. The participants were 55 or older and had symptomatic hip or knee OA at the beginning of the study, which was between 1996 and 1998. At that time 58% of subjects also reported LBP.

The participants underwent follow-up between 2000 and 2001. After adjusting for confounding factors, the study’s authors conclude: “In a cohort of individuals with OA of the hip or knee, we found that low back pain predicted subsequent OA-related pain and disability in those with hip disease, but not knee disease. Our study provides valuable prognostic information to clinicians involved in the management of patients with OA of the hip and knee.”

JMPT – June 2010;33:349-54.
www.jmptonline.org