Influence of obesity on the development of osteoarthritis of the hip: a systematic review.

Objective: To evaluate the evidence for the influence of obesity as a risk factor for the occurrence of osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip.

Methods: A bibliographical search of Medline, EMBASE and the Cochrane library until April 2000 was carried out. Articles describing studies of the relationship between obesity and the occurrence of hip OA were selected.

Feasibility of lumbar supports for home care workers with low back pain.

The aims of this study were to assess the compliance of home care workers with low back pain (LBP) in using a lumbar support, to establish the benefit experienced from the support, and to determine the predictive factors for that compliance and benefit. Only home care workers who had LBP at the start of the study or who had experienced at least two episodes of LBP in the 12 months prior to the study could apply for participation. The study consisted of two phases.

Joint space narrowing and relationship with symptoms and signs in adults consulting for hip pain in primary care.

Objective: To study whether clinical symptoms and signs can predict radiological osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip in primary care patients with hip pain.

Methods: Consecutive patients (n = 220) aged 50 years or older consulting the general practitioner for hip pain and referred for radiological investigation underwent a standardized history, radiological, laboratory, and physical examination. Radiological OA was confirmed with joint space < or = 2.