CHARACTERISTICS AND SEVERITY OF OSTEOARTHRITIS AMONG PATIENTS IN MOGADISHU SOMALIA: A SINGLE CENTER CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressively debilitating condition indicated by subarticular bone remodeling, osteophyte growth, ligament laxity, inflammation, and periarticular muscle weakness. We provide an in-depth analysis of knee and hip osteoarthritis and its severity.

Methods: This cross-sectional study is based on healthcare data recorded in the Kalkaal Hospital involving patients attending the orthopedic department. The entire dataset was examined, and data from 127 patients aged 25 years or older were included. The stage of the OA was evaluated using Kallgren and Lawrence (K&L) score. The researcher determined the normality of the data using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, the Mann-Whitney U test for variables comparing the two groups, and the Chi-square test for categorical variables. 

Results: We analyzed the entire dataset and identified 127 patients aged 25. The respondents had a mean age of 61.9 years (SD 13.29, range 25–90 years), with 59 men and 68 females. A univariate analysis reveals a statistically significant difference in the severity of OA between education (P = 0.010), prior surgery (P = 0.003), osteophytes (p = 0.046), and HIP OA (p = 0.016).

Conclusion: In conclusion, the severity of OA increased with higher education, the presence of osteophytes, and prior surgeries(osteotomies). Finally, patients with HIP OA were most likely to have severe compared to patients with other types of OA. Most educated individuals live in urban areas and have low-activity jobs. This need to be addressed because it is detrimental to arthritis treatment. Additionally, past osteotomies slowed the progression of osteoarthritis.