Hypertension in relation to musculoskeletal disorders

Generalized osteoarthrosis was found to be significantly more common in older males with high than with low diastolic blood pressure. The excess of osteoarthrosis in those with hypertension was mainly in the hips, knees, carpometacarpal and metacarpophalangeal joints, and was independent of obesity in the hypertensive group. It was not associated with a higher cholesterol or uric acid level in the serum. Radiological evidence of avascular necrosis was present in 36% of males with osteoarthrosis of the hips and diastolic blood pressure above 100 mmHg, in 20% with a diastolic pressure of 81-100 mmHg, but was found in none of those with osteoarthrosis and blood pressure of 80 mmHg or below. Only those with osteoarthrosis and a diastolic pressure above 100 mmHg had significantly more avascular necrosis that expected. Osteoarthrosis of the knee in female was more frequent in the hypertensive groups independent of obesity. It is concluded that vascular disorders are involved in this form of generalized osteoarthrosis.