Osteoarthritis Study

To describe the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis in the community using the original cohort exams 18 and 22 and in the Offspring as callbacks (Offspring were examined in 1992-1995 and again in 2002-2005.

In 1948, researchers recruited men and women from the town of Framingham, Massachusetts, beginning the first round of extensive physical examinations and lifestyle interviews that would later be analyzed for common patterns related to CVD development.

Initially, the Framingham Heart Study enrolled 5,209 men and women from the Framingham area who were between the ages of 28 and 62 years. Beginning in 1971, the Framingham Heart Study enrolled 5,124 men and women, who were either offspring of the original cohort or spouses of those offspring. In 2002, 4,095 third generation participants (men and women) were enrolled.

During each clinic exam cycle, the participants undergo a detailed examination including physical examination, medical history, laboratory testing, and electrocardiogram. Over the years, other tests (that may not be performed at every exam cycle) have included pulmonary function, lifestyle, physical function, cognitive function questionnaires, and various noninvasive cardiovascular tests including echocardiograms. The content of each exam cycle differs for Original, Offspring and Generation 3 cohorts and can be found in the Exam Cycle Protocol Manuals.

• Study Weblinks:
  • The Framingham Heart Study
• Study Design:
  • Prospective Longitudinal Cohort
• Study Type:
  • Longitudinal
• Total number of consented subjects: 3205
• Subject Sample Telemetry Report (SSTR)

Original cohort Exam 18. Subjects obtained x-rays again at examination 22.

Offspring who had cohort parents studied for osteoarthritis (or whose spouses in the Offspring had cohort parents studied for osteoarthritis) participated in an osteoarthritis study in 1992-1995 and obtained knee x-rays then. Same Offspring were examined again in 2002-2005.

The Generation 1 (or Original) cohort Exam 1 took place between 1948 and 1953. Biennial exams have continued to the present. Exam 29 took place between 2006 and 2007. Exam 30 began in 2008.

The Generation 2 (or Offspring) cohort Exam 1 took place between 1971 and 1975. This cohort on average has been examined every three to four years. However, there was an eight year gap between Exam 1 and Exam 2 and a seven year gap between Exam 7 and Exam 8. Exam 8 took place between 2005 and 2008.

The Generation 3 cohort Exam 1 took place between 2002 and 2005. Exam 2 began in 2008.

The New Offspring Spouse cohort Exam 1 took place between 2003 and 2005. Exam 2 began in 2008.

• Primary Phenotype: Cardiovascular System
• Osteoarthritis

• Principal Investigator
  • David T. Felson, MD, MPH. Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
• Funding Source
  • National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
  • Arthritis Foundation, Atlanta, GA, USA.