Abstract
Objective To characterize the relationship between frequency of idiopathic OA and characteristics including demographics, comorbidities, military service history, and physical health in a veteran population.
Methods We performed a cohort study in the Million Veteran Program (MVP), using International Classification of Diseases 9 and 10 codes to define frequency of site-specific OA across three joints or unspecified OA in veterans with respect to demographics (age, sex, race/ethnicity, etc.), military service data, detailed electronic health records, military branch, and war era.
Results We validated previous reports of sex- and age-dependent differences in OA frequency, and we identified that unspecified OA was associated with a higher frequency of sixteen Deyo-Charlson comorbidities. These associations generally persisted within each isolated joint site-specific OA. Depending on military branch, prior military engagement was differentially associated with frequency of OA. Prior Army and Navy service were associated with higher and lower risk, respectively of OA across all joint sites. However, multivariable-adjusted models adjusting for a range of covariates (including age, sex, and ancestry) reversed the apparent protective effect of prior Navy service.
Conclusion These findings highlight the breadth of factors associated with OA in the MVP veteran population and suggest that physical status may be a modifiable risk factor for OA. This work may contribute to designing strategies to optimize appropriate detection, intervention, treatment, and even rehabilitation strategies for OA in veterans and the general population.
