28/10/2005.

The early onset and severity of osteoarthritis in certain occupations warrants an urgent need for occupation specific studies for the development and evaluation of preventive strategies in this leading cause of disability in Western countries. This is the conclusion of a study focused on the identification of occupations with excess prevalence of osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, and hand. The study is published in the November issue of Occupational and environmental medicine.

Occupations with the greatest prevalence rate ratio were female cleaners, women in the clothing industry, male masons and other construction workers, and agriculture male and female workers. A twofold greater prevalence rate was observed within certain occupations between self-employed and salaried workers. Early onset of osteoarthritis was seen in the more heavy labour jobs with almost 40% of patients reporting their first symptoms before the age of 50.