Is there an association between ABO blood groups and primary osteoarthrosis of the hip?

ABO frequencies are reported in a series of 341 patients undergoing total hip replacement (THR) for primary (idiopathic) osteoarthrosis. Diagnosis of primary osteoarthrosis was made on the basis of clinical history, radiography, and histology of the excised femoral head. Compared to a control group of blood donors from the same geographical area there is a significant deficit of group O among the arthritic patients. It is suggested that there may be a heritable component in the susceptibility to develop osteoarthrosis in an otherwise normal hip-joint.