Life course longitudinal growth and risk of knee osteoarthritis at age 53 years: evidence from the 1946 British birth cohort study

Abstract

Summary Objective To examine the relationship between height gain across childhood and adolescence with knee osteoarthritis in the MRC National Survey of Health and Development (NSHD). Materials and methods Data are from 3035 male and female participants of the NSHD. Height was measured at ages 2, 4, 6, 7, 11 and 15 years, and self-reported at ages 20 years. Associations between (1) height at each age (2) height gain during specific life periods (3) Super-Imposition by Translation And Rotation (SITAR) growth curve variables of height size, tempo and velocity, and knee osteoarthritis at 53 years were tested. Results In sex-adjusted models, estimated associations between taller height and decreased odds of knee osteoarthritis at age 53 years were small at all ages - the largest associations were an OR of knee osteoarthritis of 0.9 per 5 cm increase in height at age 4, (95% CI 0.7–1.1) and an OR of 0.9 per 5 cm increase in height, (95% CI 0.8–1.0) at age 6. No associations were found between height gain during specific life periods or the SITAR growth curve variables and odds of knee osteoarthritis. Conclusions There was limited evidence to suggest that taller height in childhood is associated with decreased odds of knee osteoarthritis at age 53 years in this cohort. This work enhances our understanding of osteoarthritis predisposition and the contribution of life course height to this.

Associations between life course longitudinal growth and hip shapes at ages 60 to 64 years: evidence from the MRC National Survey of Health and Development

“…The SITAR growth curve model offers a unique opportunity to effectively examine pubertal growth based on three parameters of size, tempo, and velocity in human cohorts [13,14]. We have previously shown that in the MRC NSHD, there was limited evidence to suggest that height in childhood, as modelled using the SITAR parameters, is associated with odds of knee osteoarthritis in midlife [9]. Our results presented herein similarly suggest that whilst associations between the SITAR parameters and hip shape are modest, individuals who are taller, have later pubertal timing (later height tempo), and/or faster growth velocity have features including a wider and flatter femoral head and neck, increased external rotation and presence of osteophytes.…”

“…Factors that may potentially confound the main associations of interest were selected a priori based on previous findings in the literature [9,15]. These were birth weight, father’s occupational class in childhood (categorised as non-manual vs manual) and sporting ability at 13 years (categorised as above average, average, or below average according to teacher reports of their sporting ability) [16,17].…”

“…Moreover, we have examined associations between lifetime linear growth trajectories using the SuperImposition by Translation and Rotation (SITAR) variables of height size, tempo and velocity, and knee osteoarthritis in the MRC National Survey of Health and Development (NSHD). We found that increased height in childhood was associated, albeit modestly, with lower odds of knee osteoarthritis at age 53 years, as was adult achieved height [9]. Adult achieved height has also been shown to correlate with subtle variations in hip shape in this cohort [4].…”

The role of accelerated growth plate fusion in the absence of SOCS2 on osteoarthritis vulnerability

“…Further, previous work on the MRC National Survey of Health and Development revealed modest associations between greater gains in height in childhood and decreased risk of knee OA at 53 years. 23 Further, canine studies have shown that femoral lengthening by 30% leads to knee articular cartilage damage, which is protected by apparatus extension with a hinged fixation system to the tibia. 24 Together, this suggests that an accelerated growth rate may play a role in the development of OA, although what that role is has yet to be fully defined.…”

Effects of Physical Exercises Alone on the Functional Capacity of Individuals with Obesity and Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review

“…The mechanism involved in OA includes pro-inflammatory pathways of innate immunity followed by anatomical and/or physiological disorders characterized by cartilage degradation, bone remodeling, formation of osteophytes, joint inflammation and loss of normal joint function [ 1 ]. Knee OA (KOA) is considered a major health care burden throughout the world responsible for generating significant pain and disability [ 2 ].…”