This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Patients with OA more likely to self-report lower weight, BMI
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
In Norway, patients with osteoarthritis were more likely to underreport their weight and BMI, according to recently published findings.
A group of 600 patients, 449 of whom were diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA), was recruited from the Musculoskeletal Pain in Ullensaker study. Each participant self-reported their weight and height, blinded to knowledge that measurements would later be made. BMI was calculated as the ratio between height and weight. Other covariate data collected included age, gender, smoking status, educational level mental health status and physical activity.
Enrollees were measured in centimeters and weighed while wearing indoor clothing with shoes removed and pockets emptied. OA was confirmed in the hands, hips or knees of the participants by a rheumatologist or by medical students.
After participants were weighed and measured, the researchers calculated patient BMI and performed multivariate linear regression to explore potential associations between self-reported and calculated data, as well as with or without covariates.
Participants with OA showed less accuracy in reporting BMI than those without OA, with a mean difference of 1.34 gk/m2 vs. 0.78 kg/m2; this finding was particularly true among normal weight and obese participants, according to the researchers.
In all individuals, the number who self-reported their exact clinical weight correctly was lower in those who were overweight or obese. Additionally, obese participants with OA showed significantly poorer agreement between self-report and measured data. However, no differences were observed in BMI in normal and overweight individuals.
A strong dose-dependent association was observed between over-reporting of height and underreporting of weight by those who were overweight or obese. – by Shirley Pulawski
Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts