Common Age Groups for Osteoarthritis in Men and Women
Osteoarthritis predominantly affects individuals aged 65 years and older, with approximately 50% of this age group affected, increasing to 85% in those aged 75 years and older, affecting both men and women but with slightly higher prevalence in women. 1, 2
Age-Specific Prevalence Patterns
Overall Population Burden
- The prevalence of osteoarthritis increases steeply after age 40 years, with the condition being rare before this threshold 3, 4
- Among individuals aged 60 years or older, symptomatic knee OA occurs in approximately 10% of men and 13% of women 5
- Radiographic evidence of OA is present in up to 68% of women and 58% of men aged 65 years or older 6
Age-Stratified Prevalence Data
- In the 63-70 year age group, 27% have radiographically diagnosed knee OA 1
- Among those 80 years or older, prevalence increases to 44% 1
- The global prevalence affects approximately 7.6% of the total population across all ages, but this dramatically increases in older age groups 4
Gender Differences in Age of Onset
Pre-Menopausal vs. Post-Menopausal Patterns
- Women have lower incidence of hand OA before age 40 but dramatically higher incidence after this age compared to men, suggesting hormonal influences 3
- Female sex increases overall OA risk with a relative risk of 1.23 (95% CI 1.11-1.34) for prevalence 3
Hip Fracture Age Distribution by Gender
- The ratio of hip fracture incidence between men and women narrows with advancing age: 1:4.5 at ages 60-69 years, 1:1.5 at ages 70-79 years, and 1:1.9 at age ≥80 years 1
- This demonstrates that while women are affected earlier and more frequently, the gender gap diminishes in the oldest age groups 1
Clinical Implications by Age Group
Working Age Adults (40-65 years)
- Occupational risk factors become relevant in this age group, with mean ages in occupational OA studies ranging from 70.1 to 73.3 years at diagnosis, suggesting cumulative exposure effects from earlier working years 1
- Heavy physical demands, lifting, kneeling, squatting, and bending during working years contribute to OA development that manifests clinically in the 65+ age group 1, 7
Elderly Population (65+ years)
- This is the primary age group requiring clinical intervention, as approximately 12% of people aged 65 years and older report activity limitations due to arthritis 1
- The burden increases substantially with each decade beyond 65 years 1, 2
Important Clinical Caveats
- Age alone should not be used to dismiss OA symptoms as "normal aging" - the American Geriatrics Society explicitly rejects this notion, emphasizing that symptomatic OA represents pathology requiring treatment 1, 2
- The projected increase in OA cases by 2050 is 74.9% for knee, 48.6% for hand, and 78.6% for hip OA, driven primarily by population aging 4
- One in three people over age 65 are affected, making this a major public health concern requiring proactive management rather than passive acceptance 8