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Leigh Callahan, Phd; and Becki Cleveland, PhD, were both authors for this study.

In a recent study, knee osteoarthritis (OA) accompanied by pain, and knee pain alone (without OA visible on x-ray) were both associated with the increased risk in mortality.

Investigators from the UNC Thurston Arthritis Researchers Center used data gathered by the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project; a community-based cohort study with over 24 years of follow up.

In models taking into account variables that change over time, individuals who had knee pain and osteoarthritis (OA) that was visible on x-rays, or knee pain alone, (without osteoarthritis visible on x-rays) had increased mortality compared to individuals with no pain or signs of radiographic (seen on x-ray) OA.  The study concluded that interventions to reduce knee pain, particularly those including weight management and prevention of comorbidities, might help reduce mortality.

The research study was published in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage.

In addition, a news article discussing the study was also recently published in Orthopedics This Week.