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Table 3 Definitions of OA in the cohort studies included in EPOSA

From: European Project on Osteoarthritis (EPOSA): methodological challenges in harmonization of existing data from five European population-based cohorts on aging

Cohort

 

ActiFE

ProVA

LASA

Peñagrande

HCS

Self-reported OA

Knee

-

Pain or difficulty moving the knees in the last year? Positive if yes for > 1 month.

Do you have OA?

If yes: Would you please tell me if you have complaints of the knee?

-

-

Hip

-

Pain or difficulty moving the hips in the last year? Positive if yes for > 1 month.

Do you have OA?

If yes: Would you please tell me if you have complaints of the hip?

-

-

Hand

-

Pain or difficulty moving the hands in the last year? Positive if yes for > 1 month.

Do you have OA?

If yes: Would you please tell me if you have complaints of the fingers or hand/wrist?

-

-

Non-specific

-

Positive if "yes" on any of the above

Do you have OA?

Have you had pains in the joints or bones?

Did you visit a doctor for this problem? Positive if yes on both questions.

-

Clinical OA

Knee

-

Judgement by physician based on physical examination and information from medical records

-

-

Told by doctor to have knee OA

Hip

-

Judgement by physician based on physical examination and information from medical records

-

-

-

Hand

-

Judgement by physician based on physical examination and information from medical records

-

-

Combination of observed Heberdens nodes by trained nurse and self-reported hand pain.

Non-specific

Has a doctor ever told you that you have or had OA/arthritis?

Positive if "yes" on any of the above

General practitioners questionnaire: Has your patient been diagnosed with OA?

Diagnosis in general practitioners' records

Positive if "yes" on any of the above

Radiographic OA

Knee

-

JSN (K&L ≥ 2) + osteophytes

-

-

JSN (K&L ≥ 2) + osteophytes

Hip

-

 

-

-

-

Hand

-

DIP, PIP of digits 2-3, and CMC of digit 1:

JSN (K&L ≥ 2) + osteophytes

-

-

DIP, PIP, CMC of digits 2-5, and IP:

JSN (K&L ≥ 2) + osteophytes

  1. ActiFE: study on Activity and Function in the Elderly in Ulm, ProVA: Progetto Veneto Anziani, LASA: Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam, Peñagrande: Ageing in Peñagrande, HCS: Hertfordshire Cohort Study, DIP: distal interphalangeal joint, PIP: proximal interphalangeal joint, CMC: carpo-metacarpal joint, IP: interphalangeal joint, K&L: Kellgren & Lawrence grading.
  2. In ProVA., all x-rays were taken at the time of the clinic visit, at the same hospital using the same radiographic equipment with standardized procedures, focus to film distance 100 cm, 55 kV, 8 mA/s. Anteroposterior x-ray of the hip, and weight-bearing anteroposterior and lateral x-rays of both extended knees were performed in standing position. Standard posterior-anterior radiographs of both hands with palm flat and fingers straight were performed.
  3. In HCS, weight bearing anterior-posterior and lateral semi-flexed radiographs of both knees were taken at the same hospital using the same radiographic equipment; a standard tube to film distance of 100|cm was used. Radiographs were performed at a median duration of 6|months (interquartile range (IQR) 4.8-7.2) after the clinic visit. Using the same equipment, anterior-posterior hand radiographs were obtained, with the hand placed as flat as possible.