NEW FINDINGS from the Hertfordshire Cohort Study, presented at WCO 2025, suggest that obesity is strongly associated with worse physical function and higher pain levels in older adults with radiographic knee osteoarthritis. Researchers from the MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre at the University of Southampton assessed 216 community-dwelling individuals aged 71–80 with confirmed osteoarthritis on X-ray, revealing stark differences in outcomes between those with and without obesity.
Obese participants were significantly more likely to report problems with mobility, self-care, and performing usual activities, with odds ratios ranging from 3.4 to 4.7. They also experienced higher levels of pain and were more likely to score poorly on physical performance tests such as balance, walking, and chair rises. Women in the study had a particularly high prevalence of obesity, at 44.3%.
Lead author Dr. L.D. Westbury noted that while osteoarthritis guidelines often stress the importance of maintaining a healthy weight, it can be particularly challenging for patients who struggle with chronic pain and limited mobility. These results highlight the urgent need for tailored support strategies to help older adults manage weight effectively while living with osteoarthritis.
The study reinforces growing evidence that obesity not only contributes to the onset of osteoarthritis but also worsens its impact on quality of life, underlining the importance of integrated lifestyle, pain, and mobility interventions in clinical care.
Aleksandra Zurowska, EMJ
Reference
Westbury LD et al. Obesity is related to poorer functional outcomes among individuals with radiographic knee osteoarthritis: findings from the hertfordshire cohort study. Abstract P815. WCO Congress, 10-14 April 2025.
