The association of anthropometric measures and osteoarthritis knee in non-obese subjects: a cross sectional study

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:Body mass index (BMI) and knee osteoarthritis have a strong association, but other anthropometric measures lack such associations. To date, no study has evaluated non‐obese knee osteoarthritis to negate the systemic and metabolic effects of obesity. This study examines the validity of the contention that BMI and other anthropometric measures have a significant relationship with knee osteoarthritis.METHODS:In total, 180 subjects with a diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis were recruited and classified according to Kellgren‐Lawrence (KL) grades. Body mass index, mid‐upper arm circumference, waist‐hip ratio and triceps‐skinfold thickness were recorded by standard procedures. Osteoarthritis outcome scores (WOMAC) were evaluated.RESULTS:(1) In both genders, the BMI was significantly higher for KL grade 4 than for grade 2; triceps‐skinfold thickness was positively correlated with the joint space width of the tibial medial compartment. (2) In males, triceps‐skinfold thickness significantly increased as the KL grades moved from 2 to 4; the significantly higher BMI found in varus aligned knees was positively correlated with WOMAC scores. (3) In females, the waist‐hip ratio was significantly higher for KL grade 4 than for grade 2; a significant correlation was found between BMI and WOMAC scores. The waist‐hip ratio was significantly associated with varus aligned knees and it positively correlated with WOMAC scores and with the joint space width of the tibial medial compartment. The mid‐upper arm circumference demonstrated no correlation with knee osteoarthritis.CONCLUSION:This study validates the contention that BMI and other anthropometric measures have a significant association with knee osteoarthritis. Contrary to common belief, the triceps‐skinfold thickness (peripheral fat) in males and the waist‐hip ratio (central fat) in females were more strongly associated with knee osteoarthritis than BMI.

Factors associated with pain and osteoarthritis at the hip and knee in Great Britain’s Olympians: a cross-sectional study

“…First, the results of this study (eg, history of injury/OA/ joint hypermobility) are subject to potential recall bias. Second, the use of BMI was potentially misleading; triceps skinfold thickness (peripheral fat) in men and the waist to hip ratio (central fat) in women are demonstrated to be more strongly associated with knee OA than BMI 46. Furthermore, BMI is unable to discriminate between muscle and adipose tissue, which may be particularly pertinent in a retired elite sporting population, and it cannot directly assess regional adiposity 47.…”

Association of Metabolic Markers with self-reported osteoarthritis among middle-aged BMI-defined non-obese individuals: a cross-sectional study

“…OA individuals with overweight or obesity have shown to demonstrate higher abdominal adiposity (waist circumference) [25], increased waist-to-height ratio, increased rates of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and higher body fat compared to OA patients with athletic/acceptable BF% [43]. A recent study evaluated the cross-sectional association between metabolic markers and OA among the BMI-defined non-obese and showed that skinfold BF% is associated with higher OA prevalence [44] which corresponds to our results. Brasnjevic et al [16] showed that abdominal obesity was associated with radiographic progression of knee OA.…”

[ARTIGO RETRATADO] Revisão dos artigos sobre ortopedia recentemente publicados na imprensa científica brasileira

“…Post-training muscle strength was similar between arthritic and healthy older women, suggesting that resistance training is effective to counteract the lower-extremity strength asymmetry reported in osteoarthritic women. Sanghi et al 5 examined the validity of the contention that body mass index and other anthropometric measures have significant relationships with knee osteoarthritis. In total, 180 subjects with a diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis were recruited and classified.…”