Knee pain in your 30s? New study links rising BMI to why a condition once tied to old age is now affecting young adults
A recent study from the University of Oulu indicates that knee joint deterioration can begin silently in early adulthood, even without pain. MRI scans of asymptomatic individuals revealed frequent subtle knee findings, particularly in the patellofemoral joint. Higher BMI was strongly associated with these findings, suggesting a potential risk factor for early cartilage damage.
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
A new study by Joona Tapio and Antti Kemppainen of the University of Oulu reveals that knee joints may begin to deteriorate silently well before any pain is felt. This could explain why many 33-year-olds already exhibit signs of cartilage damage in their knees despite having no symptoms."Knee joint is the most common joint affected by osteoarthritis (OA). Degenerative findings in the knee joint are common in older adults, but can manifest already in early adulthood," said the study."In finding-specific regression analyses, higher body mass index (BMI) was most frequently associated with knee MRI findings. In this relatively young and asymptomatic population, subtle knee MRI findings were already frequent, especially in the patellofemoral joint. Of analyzed background and clinical parameters, higher BMI was most frequently associated with MRI findings. Based on these results, longitudinal studies are warranted to further identify risk factors and proportions of progressing MRI findings," said the study.The study explained that a large cohort study of over 290 000 patients found that the fraction of patients with OA in the 18–44-year age category had increased from 6.2% in 2001 to 22.7% in 2018."The Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 survey reported a consistent rise in the global OA incidence and prevalence in the 30–44-year age groups from 1990 to 2019. In high socio-demographic index regions, the incidence and prevalence of OA in these age groups exceeded the age-standardized world average. As high body mass index (BMI) contributed to only approximately 20% of the total OA burden, the increase is likely attributed to increased health awareness, a lowered threshold to seek medical evaluation and, consequently, diagnostic imaging," according to the study.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
Finger movements may hold the secret to Alzheimer's diagnosis, new study reveals
A groundbreaking study has found a possible link between finger movement patterns and brain changes in patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease, which can give rise to a new non-invasive diagnostic method. The research, published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, examines how subtle variations in finger movement, timing, rhythm, and coordination can be indicative of changes in the brain structure characteristic of dementia. This is an important issue given that Alzheimer's, the most common form of dementia, accounts for 60–80% of the total number of cases globally. Why are finger movements significant? The study was carried out by Junpei Sugioka and some neurologists and neuroscientists from Japan. They used a voxel-based analysis technique called VSRAD (Voxel-based Specific Regional Analysis System for Alzheimer's Disease) to compare brain atrophy patterns among patients with Alzheimer's disease. The software helps in detecting changes in a few regions of the brain, largely the medial temporal region, which is critical for cognition and memory. By correlating measures of finger movement with brain scans, the scientists discovered dramatic correlations between motor control dysfunction and brain volume loss in patients. That is, worsening fine motor skills—too commonly overlooked—may offer early biomarkers of neurodegeneration. Implications for early detection "Our results suggest that testing of motor function, and particularly finger movement analysis, could become a viable screening test for cognitive impairment," the authors wrote. This is especially significant in rural or low-resource settings, where access to expensive MRI scans and neurological tests might be limited. Finger-tapping tests, possibly integrated into mobile health software, could be scalable alternatives. Further, screening with such could be done as a regular checkup for older persons. The wider context Aging remains the biggest risk for dementia. As the world's population ages, early diagnostic technologies that are low-cost become increasingly important. Technologies like VSRAD and motor assessment with non-invasive devices may lead the way to community-level screening, allowing earlier treatment and improved outcomes for the patient. They recommend additional longitudinal and cross-validated research in various populations. If true, these results have the potential to transform clinicians' screening for Alzheimer's, redirecting attention away from memory tests alone and toward subtle physical signs that can be observed years before cognitive symptoms develop fully. Is this a more general problem? This study's findings reveal not just a new diagnostic pathway but also signal the possibility of a greater and underestimated issue: systemic neglect of motor function as an early indication of neurological decline. In practice, cognitive symptoms like confusion or memory impairment are traditionally always given first attention, with physical signs like decelerated finger movement or small coordination issues being generally demoted to insignificance or irrelevance. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Mint
10 hours ago
- Mint
Sonia Gandhi rushed to hospital after Congress leader's health deteriorates in Shimla
Congress Parliamentary Party Chairpers Sonia Gandhi was rushed to the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital in Shimla after her health deteriorated in hill station on Saturday. The veteran Congress leader, who turned 78 in December 2024, was taken to the hospital for tests and checkup. She was discharged after the tests were conducted. Naresh Chauhan, Principal Advisor (Media) to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu confirmed the development to media, saying that she was brought to the hospital for routine health checkup due to 'minor issues'. 'Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi has been brought to Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital in Shimla for routine health check-up due to some minor health issues,' he said. 'Doctors are examining her. She is stable. Details are awaited,' Chauhan added. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is expected to reach the hospital soon, as per a report by News18. The report further mentioned that a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is being conducted on her. Sonia Gandhi made her last public appearance on May 27, when she paid floral tribute to India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on his 61st death anniversary, at his memorial Shanti Van in Delhi. Recently, the Enforcement Directorate Sonia Gandhi as accused no. 1 and her son Rahul Gandhi (54) as accused no. 2 in the National Herald case. Along with them, five others were also named by the ED in the prosecution complaint filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The National Herald-AJL-YI case pertains to an alleged conspiracy orchestrated to illegally obtain assets worth ₹ 2,000 crore of the Associated Journals Limited (AJL) by the "beneficial owners" and majority shareholders of YI (Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi). The Congress has described the ED's chargesheet against the Gandhis as "vendetta politics". It said in April that the ED chargesheet was an attempt to divert attention from the economic crisis the country was facing. Earlier in February this year, the Rajya Sabha MP had to be admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi. Sonia Gandhi was admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi this morning at 8:30 am due to stomach related issues, the hospital had said at the time. 'She was admitted today for some abdomen-related issue. However, there is no major concern and in all likelihood she will be discharged by tomorrow morning,' Dr Ajay Swaroop, chairman- Board of Management, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, had said. The veteran Congress leader was under the care of Dr Samiran Nundy, gastroenterology specialist.
Hans India
11 hours ago
- Hans India
Sonia Gandhi undergoes check-up at Shimla hospital after restlessness
Shimla: Former Congress President Sonia Gandhi underwent an MRI at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) Hospital in Shimla after she complained of restlessness, said a party leader on Saturday. Gandhi, 78, who is staying at her private residence in Chharabra, Shimla, complained of restlessness in late afternoon and was rushed to hospital immediately, he said. According to a doctor at IGMC, Gandhi's blood pressure was detected to be marginally higher than normal but she was normal and stable. She was taken to hospital for routine check-up due to some minor health issues, said Naresh Chauhan, principal advisor (media) to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. After being informed about Gandhi's medical condition, CM Sukhu cut short his visit to Una and also headed to Shimla, said a leader. Gandhi is expected to end her private visit to the Himachal Pradesh capital on Sunday and return to Delhi, said a Congress leader. Situated in a deodar forest, Gandhi's Shimla house is close to Rashtrapati Niwas 'The Retreat'. A blend of colonial and local architecture has given a unique look to the property that sports grey slate roofs. A few months ago, Gandhi was hospitalised in Delhi for a stomach-related problem. During the February visit to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, she was admitted for one day under the care of a gastroenterology specialist. In September 2022, she visited the US for a medical check-up that was deferred due to the pandemic. During that visit, she was accompanied by her son and party leader Rahul Gandhi. Due to that visit to the US, Sonia Gandhi was forced to miss a substantial part of the Monsoon Session of Parliament in 2022. Just before leaving for the US, Sonia Gandhi had ordered a major organisational structuring in the party. The news about her visit to the US was broken by Congress leader Randeep Surjewala who also tweeted to thank 'everyone for their concern and good wishes'.
