Was compared the prevalence of radiographic osteoarthritis (ROA) in two elderly populations, one in Göteborg (Sweden) and one in Zoetermeer (The Netherlands). The comparison was preceded by an inter-observed analysis of 150 films, revealing lower percentage agreements and kappa values when analysing the films on a five-point scale compared to the analysis in a dichotomy of "abnormal" and "normal" films. An intra-observer analysis of 50 films revealed higher percentage agreement and kappa values of well over 0.75, suggesting that radiographs could be read by one observer when different populations are being compared. The prevalence of hand ROA was higher in the Göteborg population, while the prevalence of knee ROA showed no significant differences. No significant increase with age of the cohorts was found for hand ROA in either population and no increase with age for knee ROA was found in the Swedish population. In the Zoetermeer population, knee ROA increased with age in both sexes.

The prevalence of radiographic osteoarthritis in hand and knee joints was studied in representative subsamples of the 75 and 79 year old population of Göteborg, Sweden. A comparison between two cohorts of 79-year-olds, revealed no significant difference between them. A longitudinal study within one of these cohorts including those aged between 75 and 79 showed a modest but not statistically significant progression of osteoarthritis in hand and knee joints. The results suggest a reduced progression of osteoarthritis after 75 years of age.

Joint complaints were studied in two cohorts longitudinally followed at 4-5 year intervals between the ages of 70 and 79, representative of the elderly population of Goteborg, Sweden. Joint complaints were reported by 30-43% of the women and by 15-25 of the men. A significant increase of joint complaints was found in both sexes between the ages of 70 and 75 but not thereafter. The knee joints were the most common site of complaints in both sexes. Complaints were not consistently reported by the probands at all examinations, however, and a 'disappearance' of complaints with age was found. Complaints on all three occasions were reported by 15% of the women and 3% of the men. An association was observed between repeatedly reported complaints and radiographic osteoarthritis as well as with self-reported rheumatoid arthritis.

The prevalence of joint complaints and clinical and radiological findings of osteoarthritis in wrist, hand, and knee joints was studied in representative population subsamples of 79 and 85 year olds. Joint complaints, clinical findings of osteoarthritis, and radiographic osteoarthritis were more common in women. Age related differences in the prevalence of osteoarthritis were not found. Although there was a correlation between clinical signs of osteoarthritis and radiographic osteoarthritis, clinical signs were often present without radiographic evidence and moderate and severe radiographic osteoarthritis was often present without clinical signs.

Selected factors potentially associated with radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) were studied in 2 subsamples of 79-year-olds, within the longitudinal prospective study 70-year-old People in Göteborg. A very significant (p less than 0.01 in men, p less than 0.001 in women) association was found between radiographic knee OA and body mass index (BMI), and a significant (p less than 0.05) association was also observed between radiographic hand OA and BMI in men. Smoking correlated negatively (p less than 0.01) to radiographic knee OA in both sexes, even after adjusting for BMI. Other factors, including diabetes, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, physical activity, education, vocational training, marital status, serum uric acid, triglycerides, cholesterol and blood glucose levels did not correlate to radiographic OA. Finally, no correlation was found between either decreased bone mineral content or the presence of previous fragility fractures.