In this study, the investigators found high bone mineral density (BMD) to be a considerable risk factor in the subsequent knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA) development. The occurrence of the radiographic knee and hip OA but not radiographic hand OA is concerned with high baseline femoral neck BMD (FN -BMD). Prevalent vertebral fractures are linked to the occurrence of radiographic hand OA, but not with hip and knee radiographic osteoarthritis (ROA). No major relation between the non-vertebral fractures and occurrence or advancement of hip, hand or knee OA has been noted.

The study aimed to find the impact of BMD on the occurrence and rise of the hip, hand and knee OA. The investigators also strived to find the association between non-vertebral fractures and prevalent vertebral and occurrence and advancement of OA in older men and women. 

 For a total of 4154 patients, sex- and age-specific quartiles of the baseline femoral neck BMD were made. For the occurrence and advancement of the hip and knee OA, and occurrence of hand OA, radiographs were taken. McCloskey/Kanis method was used to score the prevalent vertebral fractures. As for prevalent non-vertebral fractures, the baseline interview was used. 

Increased risk of incident hip ROA (OR 1.57; 95%CI: 1.06 to 2.32) and increased risk of incident knee ROA (OR 1.58; 95%CI: 1.14 to 2.18) was noted in the patients in the highest quartile of femoral neck BMD compared to the lowest quartile. There was no significant association between high femoral neck BMD and the incidence of hand ROA or progression of the knee or hip ROA. Also, there was no link between prevalent vertebral and non-vertebral fractures with the occurrence or advancement of the hip or knee ROA. However, a significant relationship between vertebral fractures and incident hand ROA (OR 1.74; 95%CI: 1.02 to 2.98) was noted. 

The outcomes from the present study are in agreement with that of the earlier studies and therefore high femoral neck BMD can be considered as a prognostic risk factor for the hip and knee ROA development. For incident hand ROA, vertebral fractures were described as a risk factor.