Brief summary, from the abstract
In people with or at higher risk of knee osteoarthritis, objectively measured daily physical activity did not predict whether the knee got radiographically worse. Age, sex, BMI, and pain were the factors linked to progression, not how active or sedentary a person was.
- Among 1,206 Osteoarthritis Initiative participants (mean age 64, 52% female) followed with accelerometers, 267 of 1,978 knees (14%) showed worsening Kellgren/Lawrence grade.
- Neither sedentary time (adjusted OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.01) nor moderate-vigorous activity (adjusted OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.09) was associated with K/L grade worsening.
- Age, sex, BMI, and pain were the factors linked to subsequent radiographic worsening.
- This was an observational cohort; the authors note results may differ in people with more severe disease or higher activity levels.
Clinically assessing this area? See the knee special tests.