Is there a difference in the perception of symptoms between african americans and whites with osteoarthritis?
OBJECTIVE: To determine if there is a difference in the perception of pain and functional disability between African Americans and Whites at any given radiographic severity of osteoarthritis (OA). Ethnic differences in utilization of joint replacement may reflect differences in the perception of symptoms of OA. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey included 596 male veterans (44% African Americans and 56% Whites) with chronic moderate to severe knee and/or hip pain at the General Medicine Clinics. The average age of the total cohort was 65.63 +/- 9.5 years. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) for pain and function were the primary outcome measures of interest. All knee and or hip radiographs were graded using the Kellgren-Lawrence (K/L) grading system. RESULTS: African Americans and Whites were comparable with respect to age (65 +/- 9.5 vs 66 +/- 9, respectively); body mass index > or = 30 kg/m2 (53.9% vs 58.8%); Lequesne severity score (11 +/- 4 vs 1
