Osteoarthritis of the hip joint and osteoporosis: a radiological study in a random population sample in Jerusalem.

The prevalence of osteoarthritis of the hip and osteoporosis of the pelvis were examined in a random population sample in Jerusalem. Of the subjects reviewed, 16.1% showed osteoporosis of the pelvis, while osteoarthritis was noted in 4.1%. In only 0.5% did osteoarthritis and osteoporosis coexist in the same individual. Osteoporosis was more prevalent in the Far East population, while osteoarthritis appeared to bear no relationship to ethnic origin. It is suggested that osteoarthritis may be associated with high levels of physical activity, a characteristic of some Eastern populations.