Association Between Obesity and Severe Knee Osteoarthritis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26911/theijmed.2026.11.3.957Abstract
Background: Knee osteoarthritis is a common degenerative joint disease that causes pain, functional limitation, and reduced quality of life, especially among adults and older individuals. Obesity is an important modifiable risk factor that may contribute to disease progression and structural joint damage. This study aimed to evaluate the association between obesity and severe knee osteoarthritis based on the Kellgren–Lawrence classification.
Subject and Methods: This analytical observational study used a cross-sectional design and secondary data from medical records of patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis at PKU Muhammadiyah Bantul Hospital from November 2024 to November 2025. A total of 104 eligible patients were selected using total sampling. Osteoarthritis severity was classified as mild (Kellgren–Lawrence grades 1–2) or severe (grades 3–4). The independent variables were age, sex, and obesity status, while the dependent variable was knee osteoarthritis severity. Data were analyzed using the Independent t-test and Chi-square test, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
Results: The mean age of participants was 58.59 ± 11.03 years, and 75.0% were female. Obesity was found in 72.1% of participants, while severe knee osteoarthritis was identified in 33.7%. Patients with severe osteoarthritis were significantly older than those with mild osteoarthritis (61.69 ± 9.25 vs. 57.01 ± 11.58 years; p = 0.041). Obesity was significantly associated with severe knee osteoarthritis (p = 0.028), with obese patients having 3.20 times higher odds of severe disease than non-obese patients (95% CI: 1.10–9.32). Sex was not significantly associated with severity (p = 0.281).
Conclusion: Obesity and older age were significantly associated with severe knee osteoarthritis, while sex was not. Weight management may help reduce the risk of disease progression.
Keywords:
Age Factors, Knee Osteoarthritis, Obesity, Radiographic Severity, Risk FactorsReferences
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