Osteoarthritis of the hip and osteoporosis of the proximal femur

• Published in: Annals of the rheumatic diseases Vol. 50; no. 8; pp. 540 - 542
• Main Authors: Cooper, C, Cook, P L, Osmond, C, Fisher, L, Cawley, M I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and European League Against Rheumatism 01.08.1991; BMJ; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Bone Density; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Female; Femur - diagnostic imaging; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Observer Variation; Osteoarthritis; Osteoarthritis, Hip - complications; Osteoarthritis, Hip - diagnostic imaging; Osteoarthritis, Hip - physiopathology; Osteoporosis - complications; Osteoporosis - diagnostic imaging; Osteoporosis - physiopathology; Radiography; Human; Femur; Specific gravity; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Lower limb; Exploration; Bone disease; Upper extremity; Hip; Osteoporosis; Correlation analysis; Bone; Osteoarthritis
• ISSN: 0003-4967; 1468-2060; 1468-2060
• DOI: 10.1136/ard.50.8.540

A negative association has been reported between osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. There are, however, few population based data to support this association. In this study the bone density in the upper femur was compared with the presence and severity of hip osteoarthritis in 314 subjects undergoing radiography for non-skeletal indications. There was a statistically significant negative association between the two disorders. This relation may reflect differences in the cause of these two major musculoskeletal conditions.