Stress and the etiology of osteoarthritis

Bibliographic Data

ID8317406
AuthorsRobert Jurmain (San Jose State University, corresponding author), Robert D Jurmain
Year1977
Volume46
Issue2
Pages353-365
Publication date1977-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0002-9483 • E-ISSN: 1096-8644
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/ajpa.1330460214
PMID848570
OpenAlexW2098180572
LanguageEN
Citations received88
References cited24

Although degenerative joint disease is an old and exceedingly common problem, clinical investigators have not reached a consensus regarding the etiology of this disease. Comparative osteological analysis of the knee, hip, shoulder, and elbow joints of 798 individuals from four human skeletal populations (Black and White Americans, Pueblo Indians, and Alaskan Eskimos) indicates that age of onset, frequency, and location of degenerative changes are directly related to the nature and degree of environmentally associated stress, as reflected by the variable life styles of the populations sampled. Eskimos have the earliest onset and most severe involvement for all four joints studied, the right side is usually more affected than the left, and Blacks are more frequently involved than Whites in the knee, shoulder, and elbow. Functional stress, when constant and severe in nature, becomes the primary focus of degenerative disease, but other background contributing agents such as age, sex, and hormonal influence must not be ignored

Degenerative Disorder · Disease · Elbow · Etiology · Joint disease · Osteoarthritis · Osteology · Pathology · Anatomy · Bone Metabolism and Diseases · Demography · Hip disorders and treatments · Medicine · Osteoarthritis Treatment and Mechanisms · Surgery