Lifetime body mass index, other anthropometric measures of obesity and risk of knee or hip osteoarthritis in the GOAL case-control study

SummaryObjectiveTo examine the risk of large joint osteoarthritis (OA) in those becoming overweight during early adult life, and to assess the risks associated with high body mass index (BMI) and other anthropometric measures of obesity.MethodsBMI, waist and hip circumference were measured in the GOAL case-control study comprising hip OA cases (n=1007), knee OA cases (n=1042) and asymptomatic controls (n=1121). Retrospective estimates of lifetime weight, body shape and other risk factors were collected using an interview-lead questionnaire. Odds ratios (ORs), adjusted OR (aOR), 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and P values were calculated using logistic regression analysis.ResultsBMI was associated with knee OA (aOR 2.68, 95% CI 2.33–3.09, P-trend<0.001) and hip OA (aOR 1.65, 95% CI 1.46–1.87, P-trend<0.001). Those who became overweight earlier in adulthood showed higher risks of lower limb OA (P-trend