Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Osteoarthritis for Single and Multisite Osteoarthritis of the Hand, Hip, or Knee: Findings From a Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

Abstract

Objective To determine whether an apparent association between hand osteoarthritis (OA) and adiposity is explained by the presence of OA at other joint sites. Methods Data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, first cycle, comprehensive cohort, were used. Respondents age 45–85 years (n = 18,279) were asked separate questions about doctor‐diagnosed OA in the hand, hip, or knee. Multinomial logistic regression was used to investigate the relationship between all combinations of hand, hip, and knee OA and body mass index (BMI) and waist‐to‐height ratio (WHtR). Results OA was reported by 34.6% of respondents, 28.0% with OA at >1 joint site. Hand OA was not significantly associated with BMI after accounting for OA at other joint sites, with similar findings for WHtR. All joint site combinations containing the knee were strongly associated with BMI, with odds ratios (ORs) ranging from OR 2.92 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 2.53–3.37) for knee OA only with obesity class I to OR 9.98 (95% CI 7.12–13.88) for multi‐joint knee, hip, hand OA with obesity class II/III. BMI distributions including knee OA were broader and shifted to higher BMI levels than those for hand or hip OA. Conclusion Apparent associations between hand OA and BMI may be explained by concurrent OA at other joint sites. Recognizing that OA is a multi‐joint disease is crucial for studies of the associations of adiposity with OA in a particular joint, especially the hand. The association between knee OA and BMI appears to be distinct from those for OA at other joint sites.

Strategies to Improve Equitable Access to Early Osteoarthritis Diagnosis and Management: An Updated Review

“…These findings reveal several implications for ongoing research. Overall, the lack of research, first identified by Borkhoff et al (17) and then confirmed by this review, on approaches for reducing disparities in OA care in general and beyond the United States is startling given the prevalence and profound negative impact of OA on health and wellbeing (1,2), international recognition of the need to improve care for diverse groups including women (49–53), and high rates of migration to developed countries (54). Hence, more research is needed to characterize the barriers faced by different disadvantaged groups and how to overcome those barriers.…”

Perceptions of Glucagon‐like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists Among Individuals With Knee Osteoarthritis and Excess Weight: A Qualitative Study

“…Given the high prevalence of obesity among individuals with OA and the contribution of excess weight to knee pain, it is important to understand perceptions of the efficacious and highly advertised GLP-1RA weight loss medications among the OA population. 3,[6][7][8][9][10][11][12] Overall, most participants held favorable views of GLP-1RAs, either describing substantial mental and physical health benefits from use or expressing willingness to take them if prescribed. More nuanced attitudes, however, varied widely.…”

Non-linear Association Between Social Determinants of Health and Osteoarthritis: A Cross-sectional Analysis of NHANES 2003-2018

“…In socioeconomically disadvantaged populations (Tertile 3), the association likely operates through established pathways including limited healthcare access, occupational physical demands, psychosocial stress, and systemic in ammation (5,19). Conversely, the elevated risk observed in more advantaged populations (Tertile 1) may re ect different etiological factors, such as increased participation in highimpact recreational activities, greater healthcare utilization leading to higher diagnosis rates, or longer life expectancy allowing more time for age-related degenerative changes to manifest (20,21). This nuanced relationship underscores the heterogeneity of osteoarthritis etiology and challenges simplistic conceptualizations of social determinants and disease risk.…”