Walking behavior among people with knee or hip osteoarthritis. The Norwegian HUNT Study

Background: Knee and hip osteoarthritis are among the largest contributors to years lived with disability, and this burden is expected to increase due to the aging population. The favorable health effects of physical activity are well known and are particularly important to people with osteoarthritis, as osteoarthritis predisposes to metabolic and functional deterioration. Walking is the predominant type of leisure-time physical activity for adults, but the amount and intensity of walking is poorly described in persons with knee/hip osteoarthritis.
Purpose: Describe the amount and intensity of walking speed across age groups according to knee/hip pain and osteoarthritis.
Methods: We included 10,936 persons ≥50 years from the Norwegian HUNT Study (mean age 65.7 years [SD 9.6]). Knee and hip osteoarthritis were assessed by self-reported physician-diagnosed osteoarthritis combined with information on chronic pain in knees or hips. Walking speed was assessed by accelerometers on the thigh and back and categorized as slow (≤4.0 km/h), moderate (4.1-5.4 km/h) or brisk (≥5.5 km/h) walking.
Results: In the age group 50-59 years, moderate/brisk walking constituted 22% of walking time for those with osteoarthritis, 23% for those with knee/hip pain, and 26% for people without pain. Corresponding numbers for the age group 60-69 was 25%, 21% and 19%, respectively. A similar pattern was observed also for the oldest age groups. The lower proportions in people with osteoarthritis and knee/hip pain where largely due to less brisk walking than people without pain.
Conclusions: People with knee/hip osteoarthritis have notably lower total walking time compared to pain free individuals. The proportion of moderate and brisk walking are considerably lower in people with osteoarthritis and gradually decrease in older age groups.
Practical implications: For people with osteoarthritis, facilitating to increase moderate and brisk walking can fulfill the first line treatment recommendation of increasing physical activity level.
Funding: N/A