Professions That Contribute To The Development Of Knee Arthritis

Professions that contribute to the development of knee arthritis

It is not only hard physical work that increases the risk of illness. Arthritis is relatively common among housewives and service workers.

Photo: germaillard / Pixabay

Knee arthritis is a serious illness that often causes disability. Its development is often associated with occupational hazards. The largest survey to date by Australian scientists shows which types of work, both free and paid, contribute to the disease. Research paper published in Arthritis Care and Research.

In the largest meta-analysis, the authors included 71 studies that covered more than 1 million people. An increased risk of arthritis has been found in agricultural workers, construction workers, miners, service workers, domestic workers (including housewives), and cleaners.

Professor Xia Wang, professor at the University of Sydney, co-author of the study, noted that important occupational risk factors for knee arthritis were previously known: kneeling, squatting, lifting weights, walking up stairs. But this scientific work comprehensively illuminates the occupational risk of this disease.

Specifically, scientists have found:

Masons and carpenters have a 2.5 times higher risk of knee arthritis than those with sedentary jobs.

• Agricultural workers have a 64% higher risk and builders 63% higher.
• People who are mainly engaged in unpaid household work are 93% more likely to get sick.
• Plumbers, fishermen, trade workers, foresters, technicians, postmen did not have an increased risk of arthritis.

Scientists believe the new evidence suggests that targeting arthritis prevention should extend beyond people who do strenuous physical work. Activities that are traditionally not considered risky are also associated with a high likelihood of developing the disease. The authors also point out that there is a need to develop new methods of preventing arthritis.