Prevalence of self-reported hip disorders, relations to age, gender, pain, stiffness, weakness and other joint disorders

Abstract

The objective was to estimate the prevalence and characteristics of self-reported hip disorders in an adult population-based sample from the general population in two defined primary healthcare districts in the south of Sweden. We used a population-based survey using a mailed questionnaire on a random sample of 2600 individuals aged 38–77 years. After two written reminders, the response rate was 86%. The prevalence of reported hip disorders was 32% and increased with age from 18% among males 38–47 years to 42% among females 48–67 years. Among the individuals reporting hip disorders (n=692), 86% experienced pain, 32% stiffness and 20% weakness, and 58% had consulted medical care for their hip disorders; 92% of the individuals with reported hip disorders also reported disorders in other joints. Females reported disorders from finger joints, ankle/toe, low back and neck significantly more often compared with males. Disorders related to the hip region are common in a population-based sample. Individuals reporting hip symptoms frequently have symptoms in other joints. Pain was the most common symptom and females more frequently than males reported symptoms from other joints. Future studies of the cohort will investigate the relationships between self-reported hip disorders and clinical symptoms of early-stage hip disease.

• General population survey
• hip disorder
• joint disorders
• pain
• stiffness
• weakness