Risk Analysis of Metabolic Syndrome Affecting Osteoarthritis: Focused on the 6th Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey

Background/Objectives:With the rapid economic development and changes in living conditions in south Korea, the frequency of chronic diseases has been gradually increasing due to westernized eating habits and decreased physical activities. This study is a descriptive secondary analysis designed to provide basic data necessary to maintain healthy life for patients of osteoarthritis patients by analysing the risk of metabolic syndrome affecting osteoarthritis in Koreans.

Method/Statistical Analysis:Secondary analysis was conducted on the 6th KNHANESraw data provided by the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare. A total of 4,571 adults aged 19 or older who received both health and medical examinations were selected for analysis.

Findings: 10.8% of total subjects were identified to have osteoarthritis. Logistic regression analyses after adjusting age, sex, education levels, smoking and drinking revealed that the odds ratio of osteoarthritis increased depending on waist circumference of the persons reviewed in the study (OR 1.474, 95% CI=1.121-1.938) in the metabolic syndrome components.

Improvements/Applications:In conclusion, this study showed the waist circumference only of other components of metabolic syndrome was significantly related to osteoarthritis in Korean adults. Therefore, this study suggested that intensive management of obesity including abdominal obesity be useful to prevent risks of osteoarthritis.