It may be related to the predilection of various diseases that cause bone marrow oedema, such as rheumatoid arthritis which occurs more often in women aged 30 to 50 years; osteoporotic patients such as the elderly, postmenopausal women, malnourished and those with endocrine or metabolic abnormalities; septic osteomyelitis which occurs more often in adolescents; and septic osteoarthritis which is common in children. In addition, people who smoke, are obese and drink alcohol excessively are at increased risk of developing bone marrow oedema.