Walking speed is a predictor of mortality in patients with knee OA

Slow walking speed at one timepoint seems sufficient to extrapolate on later mortality in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) [1].

Earlier studies have shown that faster walking speed is consistently associated with a lower incidence of radiographic and symptomatic knee OA [2]. In addition, it is known that speeds slower than 1.22 m/s are a risk factor for poor health outcomes in OA. The presented study evaluated if walking speed at 1 timepoint, degree of decline in walking speed over 1 year, or both could predict mortality risk over 9 years in knee OA. Data from 4,229 participants included in the Osteoarthritis Initiative were analysed (58% female, age 62.3±9.2 years, BMI 28.5±4.8).

Patients with a walking speed <1.22 m/s with and without decline had a 108% and 96% greater risk of mortality compared with those walking faster without a meaningful decline over the previous year. So, walking slower than 1.22 m/s is associated with increased mortality risk, irrespective of the degree of decline in walking speed during the prior year. In contrast, those walking ≥1.22 m/s who did have a meaningful decline in walking speed over the previous year did not have an increased risk of mortality. Therefore, the authors conclude that with regard to walking speed, a speed of 1.22 m/s seems to be a threshold. Assessing walking speed at 1 timepoint may therefore be sufficient to gauge mortality risk in patients with knee OA.

1. 
   
   1. Master H, et al. Abstract 2924. ACR 2019. November 8-13, Atlanta (GA/USA).
   2. Purser J, et al. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2012;641028-35. 

Posted on 4 February, 202012 March, 2021