Table 1 Summary of reviewed studies
First author, yr [ref.] | Participants | Study design | Define of KOA | Radiographic KOA | Correlation or risk | Main findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Foley 2006 [11] | Total n = 850 Mean age 62.5 Age range ± 7.4 | A | OARSI atlas | No significant association | Symptom, pain | Alleviation of musculoskeletal symptoms may lessen the risk of falls in older people |
Muraki 2011 [12] | Total n = 1,675 Mean age 65.3 Age range ± 12.0 | A | KL grade ≥ 3 | No significant association | Women with pain | Knee pain was significantly associated with multiple falls in women |
Mat 2011 [13] | Total n = 850 Mean age 62.5 Age range ± 7.10 | A | Self-report, clinician diagnosis, KL grade ≥ 2 | No significant association | Symptoms | Radiological OA with mild overall symptoms measured with the WOMAC score may be predictive of falls |
Khalaj 2014 [14] | Total n = 60 Age range 50–70 | A | Bilateral KL grade 2 or 3 | Significant association | KL grade ≥ 2, dynamic and static balance | Bilateral knee osteoarthritis impaired balance and increased the risk of fall, particularly in people with moderate knee osteoarthritis |
Harris 2023 [15] | Total n = 3972 Mean age 62.5 Age range ± 7.12 | B | KL grade 0–4 | Significant association | KL grade ≥ 1 (Age ≥ 65), KL grade ≥ 2 (Age < 65) | Older adults with radiographic evidence of KOA have an increased likelihood of experiencing recurrent falls in comparison to those without KOA independent of established risk factors |
Doré 2015 [16] | Total n = 1,619 Mean age 62.0 Age range 45–89 | B | KL grade ≥ 2 | No significant association | Symptoms | The risk for falls increases with additional symptomatic OA lower limb joints; symptomatic hip and knee OA are important risk factors for falls |
Cai 2022 [17] | Total n = 4,465 Mean age 61.2 Age range ± 9.2 | B | KL grade ≥ 2 | No significant association | Symptoms | Knee symptoms but not radiographic KOA increased the risk of falls, recurrent falls, and fractures |
Scott 2012 [18] | Total n = 709 Mean age 62.0 Age range ± 7.0 | B | OARSI atlas | No significant association | Women with pain, stiffness, dysfunction | Knee pain may directly contribute to the progression of sarcopenia and increased fall risk in older women |
Barbour 2019 [19] | Total n = 734 Mean age 74.7 Age range ± 2.9 | C | KL grade ≥ 2 | No significant association | Men with symptom | Knee symptomatic radiographic OA was independently associated with a 2.6-fold increased risk of incident injurious falls in men only |
Tsonga 2011 [20] | Total n = 68 Mean age 73.0 Age range ± 5.3 | C | KL grade ≥ 3 | Significant association with severe KOA | Pain, stiffness, limited physical ability, reduced muscle strength | Patients with severe knee OA were at greater risk of falling, as compared to healthy older adults |
Arden 2006 [21] | Total n = 6641 Age ≥ 75 Age ≥ 75 | C | Self-report | N/A | Pain | Knee pain and OA should be regarded as independent risk factors for fracture |
van Schoor 2020 [22] | Total n = 2,535 Age range 65–85 | C | ACR clinical classification criteria | No significant association | Pain, stiffness, crepitus, tenderness | Individuals with clinical knee OA were at increased risk for recurrent falls |
Prieto-Alhambra 2012 [23] | Total n = 51,386 Age ≥ 55 Only women | C | Self-report | N/A | Self-report KOA | Interventions to reduce falls might be useful in preventing fractures in patients with osteoarthritis |