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8ffects of knee malalignment on symptoms, func-ional performance and muscle strength in medialnee osteoarthritis

. Lim, K. Bennell, T. Wrigley, R. Hinman

Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine,chool of Physiotherapy, The University of Mel-ourne, Australia

nee malalignment is strongly correlated with theisk of progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA). How-ver, the relationship between knee malalignmentnd physical performance measures is unclear.here is a need to understand performance impair-ents in individuals with knee OA and varus kneealalignment. Eighty-three community volunteersith medial knee OA were compared on the basis of

adiographic knee joint alignment. A numerical rat-ng scale (NRS) assessed knee pain during walkingnd the Western Ontario and McMaster Universi-ies Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) assessed painnd physical function. Functional performance wasssessed via the step test and stair climb test.uadriceps and hamstrings maximum isometrictrength was measured with a KinCom dynamome-er at 60◦ knee flexion and normalised to bodyass. The malaligned group (n = 41, 20 females,ean age = 66.5 ± 8.4) demonstrated mean knee

lignment of 6.7◦ of varus, whilst the neutralroup (n = 42, 26 females, mean age = 62.6 ± 8.6)ad mean varus alignment of 1.3◦. Results ofnalysis of covariance controlling for age, sexnd disease severity revealed no significant differ-nces between the two groups in NRS (4.1 ± 0.3n the malaligned group versus 4.0 ± 0.3 in theeutral group) and WOMAC scores (33 ± 2 versus5 ± 2). The presence of varus malalignment signif-cantly influenced the step test (14.0 ± 0.5 versus2.0 ± 0.5, p < 0.05) but not the stair climb test11.8 ± 0.7 versus 12.6 ± 0.7). Varus malalignments also associated with stronger quadriceps strength1.41 ± 0.08 versus 1.15 ± 0.07, p < 0.05), which

ay be an adaptive response to counter increased

oint laxity.

oi:10.1016/j.jsams.2006.12.100

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EYNOTE9weden — a model of healthy lifestyle — or turn-ng to fat like everywhere else?

. Rossner

Obesity Unit, Karolinska University Hospital,olna, Stockholm, Sweden

revalence data on overweight and obesity inurope at first indicate that there might be no needor concern in Sweden, as it is located in the lowestertile for both men and women and has remainedo for the last decades. However, looking at individ-al data, and development over time, the situations quite alarming. Sweden is a small country withbout 9 million inhabitants, and prevalence data forbesity around 10% indicate that about 1 million ofhe adult population is at risk for obesity and its wellnown comorbidities. The prevalence of obesity hasoubled during the last two decades. In militaryonscripts, the prevalence of obesity has almostuadrupled to 3.2% from 1971 to 1995, whereas theverweight fraction more than doubled to 16.3%.

This paper will outline the steps that should beaken in Sweden to combat the threat of increas-ng levels of obesity. In 2005, two Swedish agenciesointly produced a report with recommendationsor 79 activities that could be undertaken in ordero promote a healthy lifestyle. Progress with thesemplementing recommendations will be described.t is clear that Sweden has the potential, traditionnd resources to care about the obesity epidemic,ut it is difficult to see that Sweden is not goingo follow the upward trend that is seen everywherelse in the world.

oi:10.1016/j.jsams.2006.12.101

NVITED00ody mass index and the prevalence of obesity

n monorace and multiracial adults: Results fromhe Multiethnic Cohort Study

. Albright 1, A. Steffen 1, L. Wilkens 1,

. Henderson 2, L. Kolonel 1

Cancer Research Center of Hawaii, University ofawaii, United States; 2 Keck School of Medicine,niversity of Southern California, United States

bjective: The prevalence of obesity varies con-iderably among ethnic groups, and the number ofeople who report more having an ethnic admix-