Weary Medieval Populations

Osteoarthritis (OA), is the most commonly occurring joint disease, it affects the synovial joints and is characterized by degenerative changes in the joint structure. Furthermore, it is one of the diseases used in examining activity patterns within populations. This research makes use of two population samples, one with low-status individuals from Arnhem, buried in a cemetery outside the St. Eusebius’ Church, and one with high-status individuals from Zwolle, buried within the Broerenkerk. The aim of the research is to see if there are any remarkable differences between the prevalence of OA in the low-status population and the high-status population. To answer this question, 37 individuals from Arnhem and 55 individuals from Zwolle were analyzed. Males, females and indeterminate sexes were included in the sample as well as individuals from the early young adult age group to the old adult age group. 34 joints of all individuals (seventeen left and seventeen right) were scored plus the...Show moreOsteoarthritis (OA), is the most commonly occurring joint disease, it affects the synovial joints and is characterized by degenerative changes in the joint structure. Furthermore, it is one of the diseases used in examining activity patterns within populations. This research makes use of two population samples, one with low-status individuals from Arnhem, buried in a cemetery outside the St. Eusebius’ Church, and one with high-status individuals from Zwolle, buried within the Broerenkerk. The aim of the research is to see if there are any remarkable differences between the prevalence of OA in the low-status population and the high-status population. To answer this question, 37 individuals from Arnhem and 55 individuals from Zwolle were analyzed. Males, females and indeterminate sexes were included in the sample as well as individuals from the early young adult age group to the old adult age group. 34 joints of all individuals (seventeen left and seventeen right) were scored plus the vertebral column and ribs. The scores were given on the basis of specific scoring systems for each joint and were put in a table ending up with a final score for all individuals. From these scores, it is evident that the females in Zwolle have a higher prevalence of OA than the females in Arnhem, the males of both samples are equally distributed. Considering the age groups, the two youngest age groups have a higher prevalence in the sample of Arnhem and the two oldest age groups have a higher prevalence in the sample of Zwolle. Status-difference might be the cause for these differences. However, the professions during the post-medieval period were similar in both cities. Regarding the most affected joints in both samples, the low-status population has the highest prevalence of OA in the arms, while the high-status population has the highest prevalence of OA in the legs. This difference could be explained by considering activity induced OA versus weight induced OA. Concluding from this study, there are some differences between the two samples regarding sexes and age groups. However, the total prevalence of OA in the Arnhem sample is slightly lower (5%) than the prevalence of OA in the Zwolle sample. Therefore, it seems unlikely that there is a difference between the prevalence of OA in low-status and high-status populations. This is confirmed by statistical analyses.Show less

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Weary Medieval Populations