Prevalence of Knee Osteoarthritis Among Post-Menopausal Women in Urban and Rural Areas of Lahore

Abstract

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of disability in post-menopausal women, with increasing prevalence linked to obesity and aging, yet the relative influence of body mass index (BMI) and geographic residency remains unclear. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis among post-menopausal women in urban and rural regions of Lahore, Pakistan, and to evaluate the association of OA with BMI and residency status. Methods: In this cross-sectional observational study, 367 post-menopausal women aged 40–69 years with a history of knee pain were recruited through convenience sampling from urban and rural communities over 180 days. Inclusion required menopause and knee pain; exclusion criteria included pre-menopause, systemic illness, trauma, or tumor. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria, the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), and the Modified Kuppuswamy Socioeconomic Scale. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS v25, with Pearson correlation, odds ratios, and 95% confidence intervals; study approval and written informed consent were obtained in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Results: The mean age was 56.99 (SD 4.52). OA prevalence was 66.7% in underweight, 69.2% in normal, 83.7% in overweight, and 88.8% in obese women, with significantly higher odds for overweight (OR 2.88, 95% CI 1.16–7.18, p=0.023) and obese (OR 3.81, 95% CI 1.47–9.92, p=0.006) groups. No significant association was observed between OA prevalence and urban versus rural residency (p=0.67). Conclusion: Elevated BMI is a major determinant of knee osteoarthritis among post-menopausal women, irrespective of urban or rural residency, underscoring the importance of targeted prevention and weight management strategies in this population.