[Locomotor disability in the elderly; the ERGO Study (Erasmus Rotterdam Health and the Elderly). ERGO Study Group].

OBJECTIVE

Determination of the prevalence of locomotor disability and its association with signs and symptoms of the hips and knees in a Dutch general population aged 55 years and over.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional population-based study.

SETTING

Rotterdam-Ommoord, the Netherlands.

METHOD

During home interviews of 1,901 men and 3,132 women aged 55 years and over living in the Ommoord district of Rotterdam, locomotor disability was assessed using the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Morning stiffness and pain in the hips and knees during the past month were assessed. At the research centre weightbearing radiographs of the hips and knees were taken. Radiological osteoarthritis was defined as Kellgren score 2 or more. A complete physical examination of the hips and knees was performed.

RESULTS

The prevalence of locomotor disability was 21.9% for independently living men and 36.0% for independently living women. In homes for the elderly these figures were 84.0% en 96.5%, respectively. There were significantly elevated age-adjusted odds ratios for locomotor disability for women, people in homes for the elderly, independently living men with only primary education, independently living participants with a below-median net annual income and widowed men in homes for the elderly. Taking the associations between the independent variables into account only morning stiffness, pain in the hips and knees and restricted flexion of the hips and knees were independently associated with locomotor disability in men. In women radiological osteoarthritis of the hips and knees, restricted endorotation of the hip, instability and valgus deformity of the knees were also associated with disability.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of locomotor disability in people aged 55 years and over in the general population was high and associated with female sex, low education, low income and living in a home for the elderly. Of the signs and symptoms of the hips and knees only pain in the hips and knees, morning stiffness and restricted flexion of the hip were independently associated with locomotor disability. Radiological osteoarthritis of the hip and knee did not contribute much to the explanation of locomotor disability.