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

Abstract

Objectives To examine the relationship between height gain across childhood and adolescence with knee osteoarthritis in the MRC National Survey of Health and Development (NSHD). 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 and 26 years. Associations between (i) height at each age (ii) height gain during specific life periods (iii) 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, taller height at 4 and 6 years were modestly associated with decreased odds of knee osteoarthritis at age 53 (ORs per 1cm increase in height at age 6: 0.97 and age 4: 0.98 (95% CI: 0.95-1.00)). These associations were attenuated after adjustment for potential confounders. Similarly, taller adult achieved height measured at 26 and 53 years of age were associated with decreased odds of knee osteoarthritis (OR per 1cm increase in height: 0.98 (95% CI 0.96 to 1.00)). 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 some 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.

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

“…Specifically, we revealed STR/Ort mice show an overgrowth phenotype with enriched growth plate bridging, which was associated with articular cartilage lesions at 18-20 weeks of age (Staines et al, 2016). Further, our previous work on the MRC National Survey of Health and Development revealed modest associations between greater gains in height in childhood, indicative of accelerated growth, and decreased odds of knee osteoarthritis at 53 years (Staines et al, 2020). Together this suggests that the growth rate may play a role in the development of osteoarthritis, although what that role is has yet to be fully defined.…”

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.…”

Characterisation of Growth Plate Dynamics in Murine Models of Osteoarthritis

“…Identification of modified GP dynamics underpinning human OA would allow elucidation into OA predisposition and ultimately enable the development of novel and specific therapeutic interventions. Our recent work in the MRC National Survey of Health and Development (NSHD) found that increased height in childhood was associated, albeit modestly, with lower odds of knee OA at age 53 years, as was adult achieved height ( 29 ). Concurrent with this, a recent study from offspring in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) found height tempo (corresponding to pubertal timing) to be strongly associated with the hip shape models which may be related to hip future risk OA ( 30 ).…”