Can early interventions reduce the risk of hip osteoarthritis later in life? This study examines the life course epidemiology of hip osteoarthritis (OA) in Japan, assessing the association between hip OA and exposure to a primary prevention campaign for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) initiated in the 1970s. We compared the prevalence of severe subluxation (Crowe type II, III, or IV) between patients with secondary hip OA due to hip dysplasia who were born in or before 1972 and those who were born in or after 1973. Analyzing data from 1,095 patients, the research reveals a trend in the percentage of hips with a history of DDH treatment. The percentage decreased among patients born in or after 1973. The prevalence of severe subluxation (Crowe type II, III, or IV) among patients born in or after 1973 was 2.4%, which was significantly less than that among patients born in or before 1972 (11.1%; odds ratio, 0.20; p < 0.001). This 50 years ago initiative may have improved environmental factors related to DDH. It may result in a reduced need for challenging hip surgery later in life. This may result in a reduced need for challenging hip surgery later in life. In 2022, secondary hip OA due to hip dysplasia is still responsible for most new cases of adolescent and adult hip OA seen in core hospitals in Japan.
Published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, this study directly aligns with the journal's scope by focusing on the epidemiology and prevention of hip osteoarthritis. By examining the long-term impact of an early intervention for DDH, the research contributes to the understanding of factors influencing joint health and informs strategies for reducing the burden of musculoskeletal disease.