Endogenous sex steroid levels in women with generalised osteoarthritis

Abstract

Epidemiologic and clinical observations have suggested a relationship between generalised osteoarthritis (GOA) and hormonal and menopausal factors in women. We explored the hypothesis that postmenopausal women with GOA have altered sex hormone status compared with control women. We studied 112 women (mean age 64) with GOA. Controls were 151 women (mean age 54) from the general population without clinical evidence of hand or knee OA. All women were postmenopausal. Serum was assayed by RIA for testosterone, oestradiol, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and dyhydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS). Because of the differences in mean ages, the results were compared according to equal age groups divided on the basis of tertiles. SHBG was lower in the GOA group, reaching significance in the middle group 53-61 years (58.0 vs 67.9 nmol/l p less than 0.05). Testosterone was slightly higher in GOA women aged under 53. No consistent differences were seen in the older age group or for the other sex steroids. These preliminary data suggest that middle-aged women with GOA have lower circulating SHBG levels. This implies that higher circulating free oestrogens and androgens are present suggesting a role in the aetiopathogenesis of GOA.

17β-estradiol reduces expression of MMP-1, -3, and -13 in human primary articular chondrocytes from female patients cultured in a three dimensional alginate system

“…Although OA might have multiple origins, current evidence suggests that both mechanical and biochemical factors play an important part in its progression (Takahashi et al 1999). The incidence of OA increases with age in both men and women, but, compared to men, women have a higher prevalence of OA past the age of 50 (Spector and Campion 1989;Spector et al 1991aSpector et al , 1997Wluka et al 2000). Sex hormones, especially estrogens and androgens, have been considered possible factors in the predisposition to OA, and the depletion or a changed metabolism of these hormones has been regarded as risk factor for OA (Spector and Campion 1989;Spector et al 1991aSpector et al , b, 1997Wluka et al 2000).…”

Estradiol protects cultured articular chondrocytes from oxygen-radical-induced damage

“…Clinical, pathological, and epidemiological data have shown that women more often suffer from osteoarthrosis (OA) during and after the menopause than before (Spector and Champion 1989;Spector et al 1991Spector et al , 1997Wluka et al 2000). Population studies have indicated the extremely sexual-dependent prevalence of OA (Lawrence 1977;Felson 1990;Nevitt et al 1996).…”

“…The apparent prominence of periand post-menopausal women presenting polyarticular symptoms has fuelled speculations that the onset of OA and the menopausal lack of estrogens are related. Data from the research groups of Spector (Spector and Champion 1989;Spector et al 1991Spector et al , 1997 and Wluka (Wluka et al 2000) suggest that menopausal women given estrogen replacement therapy have a lower incidence of OA. In addition, experiments with ovarectomized macacs receiving estrogen replacement therapy have revealed a diminished expression of OA (Ham et al 2002).…”

Clinical Presentation of Painful Musculoskeletal Conditions at Community Level

“…Studies showed that women with joint pain (i.e. O.A) have high level of free estrogen and the estrogen may be chondrodestructive 13,14 . This might be the reason why women suffer more.…”