Prevalence of knee osteoarthritis in Saudi Arabia: A systematic literature review

Abstract

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is the most affected joint and a leading cause of pain and functional limitation in the older population. Multiple studies have investigated the prevalence of KOA worldwide. However, research is very limited on this matter in Saudi Arabia. This review aimed to investigate the prevalence of KOA in Saudi Arabia and assess its prevalence. A standardized, systematic search strategy was conducted to identify observational studies that reported on the prevalence of KOA in Saudi Arabia. The search included published studies between January 2000 and April 2023. Six eligible studies were included for analysis. This included 1952 participants. The prevalence in these studies showed wide variability throughout the past two decades and was reported to range between 13% and 41%. Individuals above 40 had an average reported prevalence of 67.8% (16.2–71.4%). A significant association between KOA and an increased body mass index and female sex was found. Studies on KOA prevalence are limited in Saudi Arabia. Despite this, it is evident that the prevalence of KOA is high based on the available literature. Establishing a database registry, lifestyle modifications, and public awareness efforts may help reduce this disease’s impact on our population.