Sample survey on the prevalence of osteoarthritis

Background. Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of disability, and its prevalence continues to increase as the population ages. The prevalence rises not only with age but also due to sedentary lifestyles and a lack of awareness about the importance of exercise. Determining region-specific prevalence will provide valuable information for recommending targeted interventions to treat and prevent complications of knee osteoarthritis. Objective. The primary aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of osteoarthritis in Porur and the surrounding areas of Chennai. Methods. Following ethical committee approval, a survey was conducted from August 25, 2023, to May 27, 2024. A simple random sample was drawn from patients visiting ACS Medical College and Hospital in Velappanchavadi and Mahalakshmi Multispeciality Hospital in Chennai. The survey was conducted using a questionnaire given to the patients and subjects at these hospitals. Results. Descriptive statistics show that the prevalence of osteoarthritis spans an age range of 30 to 76 years, with a mean age of 50.63 years and a standard deviation of 7.754. Conclusion. Based on the statistics, it is concluded that osteoarthritis can begin as early as 30 years of age and occur up to 76 years. Females are more likely to develop osteoarthritis. Awareness or diagnosis of osteoarthritis was found in only 68.7% of patients. Despite a lack of awareness about osteoarthritis, 100% of patients reported using home treatments and oral medications.