Smoking and alcohol use are associated with structural and inflammatory hand osteoarthritis features

Increased alcohol intake is associated with radiographic severity of knee and hand osteoarthritis in men

Observational studies have shown controversial associations between alcohol intake and radiographic osteoarthritis (OA). This study investigated whether this association was causal using a Mendelian randomization (MR) study in a population-based cohort in Korean. The study enrolled 2429 subjects (1058 men, 1371 women) from the Dong-gu Study. X-rays of the hand and knee joints were scored using a semi-quantitative grading system to calculate the total score of the hand and knee joints. ALDH2 rs671 genotyping was performed by high-resolution melting analysis. MR instrumental variable analysis and observational multivariable regression analysis were used to estimate the association between genetically predicted alcohol intake and the radiographic severity of OA. Subjects with the G/G genotype had a higher current alcohol intake than those with the G/A and A/A genotypes in both men and women (all P < 0.001). Men with the G/G genotype had higher total knee (P < 0.001) and hand scores (P = 0.042) compared to those with the G/A and A/A genotypes after adjusting for age and body mass index, but not in women. In the observational multivariable regression analysis, each alcohol drink per day in men was associated with increased knee (P = 0.001) and hand joint scores (P = 0.013) after adjustment, but not in women. In our MR analysis, utilizing ALDH2 rs671 genotypes as instrumental variables for alcohol consumption, has shown a significant link between each additional daily alcohol drink and increased radiographic joint severity in men.

Alcoholic drink produced by pea is a risk factor for incident knee surgery in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Objective

The objective of this study is to investigate whether alcohol exposure and specific alcoholic drinks are independent risk factors for incident knee surgery in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients.

Methods

We identified all patients who were clinically diagnosed as KOA between January 2010 and January 2018 in our outpatient department. Demographic, clinical, and radiographic data were collected from the database of our hospital. Next, we analyzed the association between alcohol consumption and incident knee surgery.

Results

A total of 4,341 KOA patients completed the current study and were included in the final analysis. Incident knee surgery for the purpose of treating osteoarthritis was observed in 242 patients. Incident knee surgery was significantly associated with age (OR [95%CI], 1.023 [1.009-1.039], P = 0.002), BMI (OR [95%CI], 1.086 [1.049-1.123], P < 0.001), baseline K-L grade 3 (OR [95%CI], 1.960 [1.331-2.886], P = 0.001), baseline K-L grade 4 (OR [95%CI], 1.966 [1.230-3.143], P = 0.005), 7.1-14 drinks per week (OR [95%CI], 2.013 [1.282-3.159], P = 0.002), >14 standard drinks per week (OR [95%CI], 2.556 [1.504-4.344], P = 0.001), and the most common alcoholic drink produced by pea (OR [95%CI], 3.133 [1.715-5.723], P < 0.001).

Conclusion

KOA patients who consumed more than seven standard drinks per week were at substantial risk of incident knee surgery. In addition, alcoholic drink produced by pea is also an independent risk factor.

Alcohol Consumption and Risk of Total Hip Replacement Due to Hip Osteoarthritis in Women

OBJECTIVE

This study was undertaken to examine the relationship between alcohol consumption and hip osteoarthritis in women. Alcohol has been associated with both adverse and beneficial health effects generally; however, the relationship between alcohol consumption and hip osteoarthritis has been minimally studied.

METHODS

Among women in the Nurses' Health Study cohort in the US, alcohol consumption was assessed every 4 years, starting in 1980. Intake was computed as cumulative averages and simple updates with latency periods of 0-4 through 20-24 years. We followed 83,383 women without diagnosed osteoarthritis in 1988 to June 2012. We identified 1,796 cases of total hip replacement due to hip osteoarthritis defined by self-report of osteoarthritis with hip replacement.

RESULTS

Alcohol consumption was positively associated with hip osteoarthritis risk. Compared with nondrinkers, multivariable hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were HR 1.04 (95% CI 0.90, 1.19) for drinkers of >0 to <5 grams/day, HR 1.12 (95% CI 0.94, 1.33) for 5 to <10 grams/day, HR 1.31 (95% CI 1.10, 1.56) for 10 to <20 grams/day, and HR 1.34 (95% CI 1.09, 1.64) for ≥20 grams/day (P for trend < 0.0001). This association held in latency analyses of up to 16-20 years, and for alcohol consumption between 35-40 years of age. Independent of other alcoholic beverages, the multivariable HRs (per 10 grams of alcohol) were similar for individual types of alcohol intake (wine, liquor, and beer; P = 0.57 for heterogeneity among alcohol types).

CONCLUSION

Higher alcohol consumption was associated with greater incidence of total hip replacement due to hip osteoarthritis in a dose-dependent manner in women.

The Effects of Frequent Coffee Drinking on Female-Dominated Healthcare Workers Experiencing Musculoskeletal Pain and a Lack of Sleep

Previous research has demonstrated that chronic diseases can occur due to musculoskeletal (MS) pain and poor sleep. It is also worth noting that the caffeine in coffee can reduce overall sleep duration, efficiency, and quality. Thus, the present study examines the effects of frequent coffee drinking (two cups per day) on individuals experiencing MS pain and a lack of sleep during the COVID-19 period. This observational and cross-sectional study recruited 1615 individuals who completed the self-reported (Nordic musculoskeletal) questionnaire. Long-term, frequent coffee drinking and a sleep duration of less than 6 h per day were significantly associated with neck and shoulder pain among healthy individuals. The mediation model demonstrated that the shorter sleep duration and drinking multiple cups of coffee per day had a two-way relationship that worsened such pain over the long term. Specifically, individuals who experienced such pain frequently drank multiple cups of coffee per day, which, in turn, shortened their sleep durations. In summary, long-term coffee drinking creates a vicious cycle between MS pain and sleep duration. Therefore, the amount of coffee should be fewer than two cups per day for individuals who sleep less than 6 h per day or suffer from MS pain, especially neck and shoulder pain.

Musculoskeletal pain is prevalent in Chinese medical and dental students: A cross-sectional study

Objectives

Musculoskeletal pain (MSP) is a major reason for consultation in primary care and is becoming increasingly prevalent among medical students. There is little research on the current situation of MSP among Chinese medical and dental students. Data on the analysis of risk factors related to MSP are also limited. The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of MSP among Chinese medical and dental students and to explore the risk factors for MSP and students' intent to seek medical treatment.

Methods

An anonymous, internet-based, cross-sectional, open survey was distributed to medical and dental students at Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China. Data on the demographic information and characteristics of MSP were collected and analyzed. In addition to descriptive statistics, logistic regression was used to analyze significant risk factors contributing to MSP.

Results

A total of 1,178 students responded to the survey (response rate = 79.6%), including 722 medical students and 456 dental students. The age ranged from 16 to 24. There were 553 male students and 625 female students. A total of 523 students reported neck pain (NP, 44.4%), 361 students reported low back pain (LBP, 30.6%), and 182 students reported joint pain (JP, 15.4%). Sixty-six students (5.6%) simultaneously suffered from NP, LBP, and JP. The prevalence of NP (49.1 vs. 41.4%, P = 0.01), LBP (34.6 vs. 28.1%, P = 0.02), and JP (20.2 vs. 12.5%, P < 0.001) was significantly higher in dental students than in medical students. The prevalence of MSP was significantly different among the academic years for NP and LBP (P = 0.02 and P < 0.001, respectively). Univariate and multivariate regression analyses demonstrated that female sex, PSS-10 score, and major of stomatology were risk factors for MSP. Medical and dental students' intention to seek treatment for MSP was low and was significantly associated with the severity of pain.

Conclusions

The prevalence of MSP in Chinese medical and dental students is high, especially for NP and LBP, and is significantly higher in dental students than in medical students. The prevalence of NP and LBP were significantly different among academic grades. Female sex, PSS-10 score, and major of stomatology were risk factors for MSP. Students' intent to seek treatment for MSP was very low and was determined by the severity of pain.

Macroscopic aspects of glenohumeral synovitis are related to rotator cuff tear severity

BACKGROUND

The microscopic pattern of inflammatory mediators associated with rotator cuff pathology is well documented; however, little is known regarding the contemporary presence of macroscopic inflammatory joint involvement. Our aim was to investigate shoulder synovitis in a large group of patients with different sized rotator cuff tears (RCTs) and to correlate the degree of macroscopic inflammatory changes of the glenohumeral joint with RCT severity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 296 consecutive patients (169 F, 127 M; mean age ± standard deviation: 60.75 ± 7.91) submitted to arthroscopic RCT repair were enrolled. RCT was classified intraoperatively. Glenohumeral synovitis was investigated according to 4 parameters (Davis classification 2017: capsule color, villous projections, capillaries, and axillary recess). A total score was calculated, and a 3-grade severity scale was introduced. Statistics was performed.

RESULTS

Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) results show good to excellent reliability: capsule color (ICC: 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.89-0.99), villous projections (ICC: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.85-0.95), capillaries (ICC: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.86-0.95), and axillary recess (ICC: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.80-0.89).The synovitis total score was found to be 1.47 ± 1.16, 2.86 ± 1.84, and 3.99 ± 1.64 in patients with type I, II, and III RCTs, respectively. A significant difference was found between groups (P < .001). The prevalence of all the examined parameters was found to be significantly different between the different sized RCT groups (capsule color: P < .001; villous projections: P < .001; capillaries: P < .001; and axillary recess: P < .001). According to a 3-grade severity scale, the prevalence of absent, mild, and severe glenohumeral synovitis significantly differed between the RCT severity groups (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrated that synovitis is a constant finding of rotator cuff pathology; it is present in 75% of patients with RCTs and correlates with tear severity. Whether synovitis is the cause or effect of RCT is still questionable. Further studies are also needed to better understand its role as a pain generator, as documented in other diseases.

Epidemiology and Outcomes of Alcohol Use Hospitalizations in People With Gout, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Osteoarthritis, or Low Back Pain: A National US Study

OBJECTIVE

To examine the incidence, time trends, and outcomes of alcohol use disorder (AUD) hospitalizations in people with gout, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, or low back pain (LBP).

METHODS

We used the US National Inpatient Sample data from 1998 to 2016. We examined the rates of AUD hospitalizations in musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs), based on the presence of diagnostic codes for AUD in the primary and MSDs in a secondary position. Multivariable-adjusted (age, sex, race, and income) health care utilization and in-hospital mortality were compared by the presence/absence of MSDs, using linear or logistic regression.

RESULTS

Alcohol use disorder hospitalizations increased over the 19-year study period from 1998 to 2014 to 3-fold higher in gout, osteoarthritis, or LBP; 3.5-fold in RA; and 4.5-fold in fibromyalgia. Compared with AUD hospitalizations in people without each respective MSD, adjusted total hospital charges were $3913 higher in people with gout and $1368 to $1614 lower for osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, or LBP over the study period (all significant) and not significantly different for RA. The adjusted odds of hospital stay of more than 3 days were significantly higher for all 5 MSDs, with odds ratio ranging 1.10 for LBP to 1.34 for gout. The adjusted odds of in-hospital mortality were significantly lower for all 5 MSDs, with odds ratio ranging from 0.21 for fibromyalgia to 0.50 for gout.

CONCLUSIONS

In a national US study, the rate of AUD hospitalizations increased in all 5 MSDs. Providers and patients with MSDs should be counseled regarding the risk and impact of alcohol use. Interventions to reduce AUD hospitalization-associated health care burden in MSD are needed.

Current Epidemiology and Risk Factors for the Development of Hand Osteoarthritis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Hand osteoarthritis (hand OA), the most common peripheral arthritis in the world, is less studied than osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee and hip. However, it is uniquely situated to offer novel insight into OA as a disease process by removing weight-bearing as a confounder of systemic disease mechanisms. Here we review the epidemiology of hand OA and key risk factors for its development.

RECENT FINDINGS

Mounting evidence points to obesity as an important risk factor for hand OA development, with new evidence implicating a role for leptin and serum fatty acids. Disease progression in hand OA and specifically the erosive OA subtype may be associated with diabetes. New evidence supports an association between cardiovascular disease progression and symptomatic hand OA. Alcohol use may be associated with increased synovitis and erosive hand OA. Differences in ethnical distributions of hand OA have become more apparent, with a lower prevalence in Black patients compared to White patients. Novel genetic insights implicating the WNT gene pathway and IL-1β have led to novel potential targets in hand OA pathogenesis. Hand OA is a heterogeneous disease with many modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors that can determine disease severity and shed light on disease pathogenesis.

Reliability of detection of ultrasound and MRI features of hand osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

To systematically review the literature on inter- and intra-rater reliability of scoring ultrasound and MRI changes in hand osteoarthritis (OA).

METHODS

Medline, EMBASE, CINHAL, Web of Science and AMED were searched from inception to January 2020. Kappa (K), weighted Kappa (Kw) and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) for dichotomous, semi-quantitative and summated scores respectively, and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were pooled using random-effects model. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed and reliability estimates were interpreted using Landis-Koch's classification.

RESULTS

Fifty studies met the inclusion criteria (33 ultrasound, 21 MRI). The pooled K(95% CI) for inter-rater reliability was substantial for ultrasound-detected osteophytes [0.66 (0.54, 0.79)], grey-scale synovitis (GSS) [0.64 (0.32, 0.97)], and power Doppler (PD) [0.76, (0.47, 1.05)]; whereas intra-rater reliability was almost perfect for osteophytes [0.82 (0.80, 0.84)], central bone erosions (CBEs) [0.83 (0.78, 0.89)], and effusion [0.83 (0.74, 0.91)]; and substantial for GSS [0.64 (0.49, 0.79)] and PD [0.70 (0.59, 0.80)].Inter-rater reliability for dichotomous assessment was substantial for MRI-detected CBEs [0.75 (0.67, 0.83)] and synovitis [0.69 (0.51, 0.87)]; slight for osteophytes [0.14 (0.04, 0.25)]; and almost perfect for sum score of osteophytes, CBEs, joint space narrowing (JSN), and bone marrow lesions (BMLs) (0.81-0.89). Intra-rater reliability was almost perfect for sum score of MRI synovitis [0.92 (0.87, 0.96)], BMLs [0.88 (0.78, 0.98)], osteophytes [0.86 (0.74, 0.98)], CBEs [0.83 (0.66, 1.00)] and JSN [0.91 (0.87, 0.91)].

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound and MRI are reliable in detecting hand OA features. Ultrasound may be preferred due to low-cost and increasing availability.

The association between alcohol consumption and osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis and meta-regression of observational studies

There is conflicting evidence for the association between alcohol consumption and common joint conditions such as Osteoarthritis (OA), which affects millions of people. We sought to determine the true association between alcohol intake and OA. We conducted a PRISMA systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies that reported associations between alcohol consumption and OA. Pooled estimates of association were represented through odds ratios (ORs). Publication bias was assessed with Funnel and Galbraith plots, and risk of bias was assessed with the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. We included 29 studies and 25,192 subjects with OA and reported an OR between any alcohol consumption and OA of 0.79 (0.68–0.93), suggesting a protective effect. OR of weekly or more frequent use was 0.79 (0.65–0.97). When grouped by covariates, alcohol consumption was negatively associated with radiographic (0.83, 0.70–0.98), hand (0.80, 0.66–0.95) and knee OA (0.85, 0.72–0.99), North American ethnicity and female gender. Subgroup analysis of unadjusted data resulted in an OR of 0.70 (0.55–0.89) but this disappeared upon analysis of studies with data adjusted for any covariate (0.93, 0.78–1.10). Whilst our pooled analysis suggest that weekly or more frequent alcohol consumption was negatively associated with OA, this was not observed when adjusted for confounding factors. Reasons for this include selection bias and lack of longitudinal exposure and adjustment for confounding variables. Therefore, this meta-analysis provides evidence to dispel notions that alcohol use may be protective against OA.

The relationship between alcohol consumption and knee osteoarthritis in Korean population over 50 years-old: Results from Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

ABSTRACT

There is still debate regarding the pathogenic relationship between alcohol intake and osteoarthritis (OA). This study investigated the association between alcohol consumption and knee OA in a Korean population.Among 8058 subjects who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2012, a total of 2917 subjects over the age of 50 and taken plain radiography was included in this analysis. Knee OA was classified based on the Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grading scale. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of variables for knee OA (K-L grade ≥ 2).There were 1022 subjects with knee OA (29.2%). Subjects with knee OA tended to have lower daily alcohol intake (g/day) than did those without knee OA (10.4 [6.2-14.6] vs. 15.8 [12.8-18.8], P = .04). Similarly, those with knee OA demonstrated less makgeolli intake than did those without knee OA (P = .002). Subjects who consumed >0.6 g/day of beer also demonstrated less knee OA than did those who consumed <0.6 g/day of beer (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.46-0.99). However, knee OA was not associated with the categories of alcohol consumption amount (g/day), including total daily alcohol intake (g/day), soju daily intake (g/day), and makgeolli daily intake (g/day) (P > .05 of all).Alcohol consumption was negatively associated with prevalence of knee OA in a Korean population. This preliminary observation will need to be confirmed in future studies.

Association Between Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations and Chronic Pain: Effects of Drinking Habits

Purpose

Although the explanation for inconsistencies in the reported association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and chronic pain (CP) has not yet been determined, understanding this discrepancy is necessary for the development of vitamin D supplementation as an effective treatment for CP. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the relationship between 25(OH)D concentrations and CP according to drinking habits in Japanese subjects.

Patients and Methods

We distributed invitation letters to 2314 individuals older than 40 years in Shika town, a rural area in Japan, and 724 subjects (386 females; mean age: 63.9 ± 10.4 years) were recruited. CP was defined as persistent pain lasting at least 3 months in any part of the body. Serum concentrations of 25(OH)D, a biomarker of the vitamin D status, were measured using a radioimmunoassay. A serum 25(OH)D level <20 ng/mL was defined as serum 25(OH)D deficiency. Drinking habits were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. There were three choices, “rarely drink”, “sometimes” and “everyday”. Respondents who answered “rarely drink” were labelled as non-drinkers and the others as drinkers.

Results

The prevalence of CP was 40.6%. A significant interaction between CP and drinking habits on 25(OH)D concentrations was observed (p = 0.098). A one-way analysis of covariance was performed to compare 25(OH)D concentrations between the subjects with and without CP in each drinking group, and the serum 25(OH)D levels of subjects with CP were significantly lower than those without CP among drinkers (p = 0.007). A logistic regression analysis revealed a correlation between serum 25(OH)D deficiency and CP in drinkers after adjustments for several confounding factors (odds ratio: 0.499; 95% confidence interval: 0.268 − 0.927; p = 0.028).

Conclusion

The present results suggest that low serum 25(OH)D concentrations are associated with the development of CP in drinkers.

Household air pollution and arthritis in low-and middle-income countries: Cross-sectional evidence from the World Health Organization's study on Global Ageing and Adult Health

Background

Evidence points to a clear link between air pollution exposure and several chronic diseases though investigations regarding arthritis are still lacking. Emerging evidence suggests an association between ambient air pollution and rheumatoid arthritis. Household air pollution exposure, conversely, is largely unstudied but may be an important consideration for arthritis, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where cooking and heating activities can generate high indoor air pollutant levels.

Methods

We investigated the association of household air pollution (electricity vs. gas; kerosene/paraffin; coal/charcoal; wood; or agriculture/crop/animal dung/shrubs/grass as the main fuel used for cooking) and arthritis in six LMICs (China, Ghana, India, Mexico, the Russian Federation, South Africa) using data from Wave I of the World Health Organization Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health (SAGE) (2007–2010). Multivariable analyses were adjusted for sociodemographic, household and lifestyle characteristics and several comorbidities.

Results

The use of gas (aOR = 1.76, 95%CI: 1.40–2.21); coal (aOR = 1.74, 95%CI: 1.22–2.47); wood (aOR = 1.69, 95%CI: 1.30–2.19); or agriculture/crop/animal dung/shrubs/grass: aOR = 1.95 (1.46–2.61) fuels for cooking were strongly associated with an increased odds of arthritis, compared to electricity in cluster and stratified adjusted analyses. Gender (female), age (≥50 years), overweight (25.0 ≤BMI<30.0 kg/m²), obesity (BMI ≥30.0 kg/m²), former and current alcohol consumption, and the comorbidities angina pectoris, diabetes, chronic lung disease, depression and hypertension were also associated with a higher odds of arthritis. Underweight (BMI<18.5 kg/m²) and higher education levels (college/university completed/post-graduate studies) were associated with a lower odds of arthritis.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that exposure to household air pollution from cook fuels is associated with an increased odds of arthritis in these regions, which warrants further investigation.

Impact of osteoarthritis on activities of daily living: does joint site matter?

Background

We consider the relationships between a clinical and radiological diagnosis of knee or hip OA and activities of daily-living (ADL) in older adults.

Methods

Data were available for 222 men and 221 women from the Hertfordshire Cohort Study (HCS) who also participated in the UK component of the European Project on Osteoarthritis (EPOSA). Participants completed the EuroQoL survey where they reported if they had difficulties with mobility, self-care, usual activities and movement around their house. Hip and knee radiographs were graded for overall Kellgren and Lawrence score (positive definition defined as a 2 or above). Clinical OA was defined using American College of Rheumatology criteria.

Results

In men, a clinical diagnosis of hip or knee OA were both associated with reported difficulties in mobility, ability to self-care and performing usual-activities (hip OA: OR 17.6, 95% CI 2.07, 149, p = 0.009; OR 12.5, 95% CI 2.51, 62.3, p = 0.002; OR 4.92, 95% CI 1.06, 22.8, p = 0.042 respectively. Knee OA: OR 8.18, 95% CI 3.32, 20.2, p < 0.001; OR 4.29, 95% CI 1.34, 13.7, p = 0.014; OR 5.32, 95% CI 2.26, 12.5, p < 0.001 respectively). Similar relationships were seen in women, where in addition, a radiological diagnosis of knee OA was associated with difficulties performing usual activities (OR 3.25, 95% CI 1.61, 6.54, p = 0.001). In general, men with OA reported stronger associations between moving around the house, specifically around the kitchen (clinical hip OA: OR 13.7, 95% CI 2.20, 85.6, p = 0.005; clinical knee OA OR 8.45, 95% CI 1.97, 36.2, p = 0.004) than women.

Discussion and conclusion

Clinical OA is strongly related to the ability to undertake ADL in older adults and should be considered in clinic consultations when seeing patients with OA.

The Prevalence of Osteoarthritis and Risk Factors in the Korean Population: The Sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (VI-1, 2013)

Background

Knee osteoarthritis is highly prevalent, especially among the elderly. However, its risk factors have not been well identified, especially in the Korean population. This study aimed to assess the epidemiologic characteristics and risk factors of knee osteoarthritis in the Korean population.

Methods

Data of 2,280 (1,295 women) participants of the 2013 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey aged ≥50 years who underwent knee radiography were analyzed. According to the American College of Rheumatology clinical/radiographic classification criteria, knee osteoarthritis was defined as knee pain and radiographic knee osteoarthritis. The association between risk factors and knee osteoarthritis was analyzed using the chi-square test and binominal logistic regression.

Results

The participants had an average age of 62.6 years; 56.8% of them were women. The average body mass index was 24.2 kg/m², and 296 (13%) participants were diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis. After adjustment for multiple risk factors, age of ≥65 years (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.552; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.868–3.486), female sex (OR, 2.050; 95% CI, 1.275–3.295), obesity (body mass index, ≥25.0 kg/m² ; OR, 1.563; 95% CI, 1.191–2.051), hypertension (OR, 1.394; 95% CI, 1.052–1.846), low educational level (lower than or equal to elementary school: OR, 4.761; 95% CI, 2.131–10.635; middle school: OR, 3.184; 95% CI, 1.375–7.369), and low strength exercise frequency (<2 times/wk; OR, 1.829; 95% CI, 1.202–2.784) increased the risk of knee osteoarthritis.

Conclusion

Old age, sex, obesity, hypertension, low educational level, and low strength exercise frequency were found to be risk factors for knee osteoarthritis.

Imaging of osteoarthritis-recent research developments and future perspective

In osteoarthritis research, imaging plays an important role in clinical trials and epidemiological observational studies. In this narrative review article, we will describe recent developments in imaging of osteoarthritis in the research arena, mainly focusing on literature evidence published within the past 3 years (2014-2017). We will primarily focus on MRI including advanced imaging techniques that are not currently commonly used in routine clinical practice, although radiography, ultrasound and nuclear medicine (radiotracer) imaging will also be discussed. Research efforts to uncover the disease process of OA as well as to discover a disease modifying OA drug continue. MRI continues to play a large role in these endeavors, while compositional MRI techniques will increasingly become important due to their ability to assess "premorphologic" biochemical changes of articular cartilage and other tissues in and around joints. Radiography remain the primary imaging modality for defining inclusion/exclusion criteria as well as an outcome measure in OA clinical trials, despite known limitations for visualization of OA features. Compositional MRI techniques show promise for predicting structural and clinical outcomes in OA research. Ultrasound can be a useful adjunct to radiography and MRI particularly for evaluation of hand OA. Newer imaging techniques such as hybrid PET/MRI may have a potential but require further research and validation.

The Prevalence, Incidence, and Progression of Hand Osteoarthritis in Relation to Body Mass Index, Smoking, and Alcohol Consumption

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the extent that overweight/obesity, smoking, and alcohol are associated with prevalence and longitudinal changes of radiographic hand osteoarthritis (OA).

METHODS

Participants from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (n = 1232) were included, of whom 994 had 4-year followup data. In analyses on incident hand OA, only persons without hand OA at baseline were included (n = 406). Our exposure variables were overweight/obesity [body mass index (BMI), waist circumference], smoking (current/former, smoking pack-yrs), and alcohol consumption (drinks/week). Using linear and logistic regression analyses, we analyzed possible associations between baseline exposure variables and radiographic hand OA severity, erosive hand OA, incidence of hand OA, and radiographic changes. Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, and education.

RESULTS

Neither overweight nor obesity were associated with hand OA. Current smoking was associated with less hand OA in cross-sectional analyses, whereas longitudinal analyses suggested higher odds of incident hand OA in current smokers (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.02-4.77). Moderate alcohol consumption was associated with higher Kellgren-Lawrence sum score at baseline (1-3 drinks: 1.55, 95% CI 0.43-2.67) and increasing sum score during 4-year followup (4-7 drinks: 0.33, 95% CI 0.01-0.64). Moderate alcohol consumption (1-7 drinks/week) was associated with 2-fold higher odds of erosive hand OA, which was statistically significant. Additional adjustment for BMI gave similar strengths of associations.

CONCLUSION

Overweight/obesity were not associated with hand OA. Contrasting results were observed for smoking and hand OA, suggesting lack of association. Moderate alcohol consumption was associated with hand OA severity, radiographic changes, and erosive hand OA, warranting further investigation.