OA was statistically (not causally) associated with distress (OR = 1.7, 95 % CI 1.2–2.6), sleep disturbance (OR = 1.6, 95 % CI 1.1–2.3), adverse alcohol use (OR = 1.8, 95 % CI 1.2–2.6), comorbidity ≥2 (OR = 1.5, 95 % CI 1.0–2.1). The relative strength of the relationship between OA and symptoms of CMD (including across sports) is presented in Table 2.Table 2Association (OR and 95 % CI) between osteoarthritis and symptoms of common mental disorders among former professional athletes and among former professional athletes from football, rugby and ice hockeyDistressAnxiety/DepressionSleep disturbanceAdverse alcohol useComorbidity (2 ≥)Total 1.7 (1.2–2.6) 1.3 (0.9–1.9) 1.6 (1.1–2.3) 1.8 (1.2–2.6) 1.5 (1.0–2.1) Rugby 2.7 (1.5–4.7) 1.6 (0.9–2.7) 2.4 (1.4–4.1) 1.6 (0.9– 2.9) 2.1 (1.2–3.5) Football1.0 (0.5–2.1)0.8 (0.4–1.5)0.9 (0.4–1.6)0.5 (0.3–1.1)0.7 (0.3–1.4)Ice hockey 1.2 (1.1–1.4) 1.4 (1.2–1.8) 1.3 (1.1–1.6) 3.7 (2.2–6.9) 1.5 (1.2–2.0) Statistically significant values are given in bold