Intended for healthcare professionals

Research Article

Osteoarthritis of the hip: an occupational disease in farmers.

British Medical Journal 1992; 304 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.304.6837.1269 (Published 16 May 1992) Cite this as: British Medical Journal 1992;304:1269
  1. P. Croft,
  2. D. Coggon,
  3. M. Cruddas,
  4. C. Cooper
  1. ARC Epidemiology Research Unit, University of Manchester.

    Abstract

    OBJECTIVE--To test the hypothesis that farmers are at high risk of hip osteoarthritis and to investigate possible causes for such a hazard. DESIGN--Cross sectional survey. SETTING--Five rural general practices. SUBJECTS--167 male farmers aged 60-76 and 83 controls from mainly sedentary jobs. All those without previous hip replacement underwent radiography of the hip. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Hip replacement for osteoarthritis or radiological evidence of hip osteoarthritis. RESULTS--Prevalence of hip osteoarthritis was higher in farmers than controls and especially in those who had farmed for over 10 years (odds ratio 9.3, 95% confidence interval 1.9 to 44.5). The excess could not be attributed to any one type of farming, and heavy lifting seems the likely explanation. CONCLUSIONS--Manual handling in agriculture should be limited where possible. Consideration should be given to making hip osteoarthritis a prescribed industrial disease in farmers. There may be wider implications for the prevention of hip osteoarthritis in the general population.