Poor Physical Function Is Associated With Mortality Among Individuals With Knee And/Or Hip OA: The Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project

Purpose: Reduced physical function (PF) is a common consequence of osteoarthritis (OA), and poor PF is associated with premature death. Reduction in physical activity due to poor PF may also increase an individual’s risk of development or progression of life-threatening chronic diseases such as CVD and diabetes. We previously found that individuals with painful knee and/or hip OA were more likely to experience premature mortality, independent of key comorbidities. We therefore sought to explore whether poorer PF among those with knee and/or hip OA was associated with 10-year mortality, independent of comorbidities associated with reduced PF.