[Insight into the clinical epidemiology of arthrosis]

Osteoarthritis is one of the most important contributions to the burden of disease. 50% of those aged 65 and 80% of those aged 75 years show radiological signs of osteoarthritis. Risk factors for incidence and progression of osteoarthritis vary considerably according to the type of joint. There is only a modest relationship between the radiographic severity of joint damage and the incidence and severity of pain. Psychosocial and socioeconomic factors play an important role for the development of pain in osteoarthritis.