How Common Is Hip Pain Among Older Adults?

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Original Research

How Common Is Hip Pain Among Older Adults?

J Fam Pract. 2002 April;51(4):345-348

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References

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We recently reported that sex, age, and race have a strong impact on knee pain.⁹ In our current study, we found that these are also important determinants of hip pain, but the findings were less striking than with knee pain. Men reported hip pain less often than women (11.9% versus 16.2%, respectively), but men aged 60 to 69 years were as likely to report hip pain as the men 80 years and older. There was no difference between the women in the 70- to 79-year group and those 80 years and older, but the women in both groups reported pain more often than did those aged 60 to 69 years. These findings are similar to those of Frankel and colleagues,¹⁰ who found that hip pain in a United Kingdom population was higher for women (overall prevalence 173 per 1000) than for men (overall prevalence 107 per 1000) at every age group; for both sexes it increased with age. This result is surprising, given that the prevalence of radiographic OA of the hip is more common in men than women aged 55 to 74 years, and in both sexes the prevalence of radiographic OA increases with age.¹ The effects of sex and age on nonarticular hip pain (eg, bursitis) may partially explain the discrepancy. Additionally, there may be a reporting bias because women are more likely to report pain at any joint than are men.¹¹ In one report, women had a higher rate of elective total hip replacement, but men tended to be younger at the time of surgery.¹²

We found no previous reports of the effect of race on the reporting of hip pain. In our study, Mexican American women were more likely to report hip pain (19.3%) than were non-Hispanic black (14.8%) or non-Hispanic white (15.9%) women. Race did not significantly affect reports of hip pain in men. In addition, people who report no leisure time activity were more likely to report hip pain. A sedentary lifestyle is more common among non-Hispanic blacks and Mexican Americans than among whites^13-15 and may partially explain some of the difference in reporting by racial groups.

We acknowledge the limitations of self-report and the cross-sectional nature of this study. Given the cross-sectional nature of this study, we cannot determine the direction of causality; however, it is of concern that significant hip pain may contribute to a more sedentary lifestyle (and its attendant risks). As such, significant hip pain deserves a thorough investigation.

Conclusions

Our study reports on the most current nationally representative data that provide estimates of the prevalence of hip pain in older adults in the United States. Future studies are needed to further identify those at highest risk for hip pain and resultant debility and to determine optimal treatment of hip pain, particularly in Mexican American women.

Acknowledgments

Dr Andersen’s work is supported by Grant No. 97214-G from The John A. Hartford Foundation and by Grant No. DK 53907 from the National Institute of Digestive, Diabetes, and Kidney Diseases.