The association between smoking and knee osteoarthritis in a cohort of Danish patients undergoing knee arthroscopy

Abstract

Background It has been suggested that smoking is associated with reduced risk of knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, supplementary studies are needed to further investigate any such potential association. Thus, our aim was to examine the relationship between smoking and early or more established knee OA in a cohort of relatively young patients with meniscal tears. Methods This cross-sectional study included 620 participants from the Knee Arthroscopy Cohort Southern Denmark (KACS) undergoing knee arthroscopy for a meniscal tear (mean age 49.2 (18.0–76.8) years). Recruitment of patients was performed between February 1, 2013, and January 31, 2015, at four different hospitals in Denmark. We defined early or more established knee OA as the combination of patient-reported frequent knee pain, degenerative meniscal tissue and presence of cartilage defects assessed by the operating surgeons. The relationship between smoking status and knee OA was examined by risk ratio (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI), estimated from logistic regression adjusted for age, sex, BMI, education, work status and level of physical activity. Results The prevalence of early or more established knee OA was 37.7% in current smokers and 45.0% in non-smokers. We found no statistically significant association between current smoking and knee OA (adjusted RR 1.09, 95% CI 0.91–1.30). Conclusions This study found no relationship between current smoking and early or more established knee OA in a cohort of patients undergoing arthroscopic meniscal surgery. Thus, the inverse association between smoking and knee OA that has been suggested by previous studies was not confirmed.

The Role of Microrna-29 in Osteoarthritis

“…Multiple other studies have also found similar results with smoking being negatively associated with risk of developing hand, knee, hip and back OA (Wilder et al, 2003;Mnatzaganian et al, 2013;Leung et al, 2014). It is important to highlight that not all studies have been able to replicate this association (Dubé et al, 2016;Kong et al, 2017;Johnsen et al, 2019).…”

Diet and lifestyle modifications: An update on non‐pharmacological approach in the management of osteoarthritis

“…Studies show that smokers are more prone to having low bone mass density and cartilage loss (Dubé et al, 2016). While some studies prove that smoke chemicals help to reduce OA‐related symptoms (Dubé et al, 2016; Johnsen et al, 2019). A study conducted in 2019 revealed that the prevalence of early or more established knee OA was 37.7% in current smokers and 45% in non‐smokers (Johnsen et al, 2019).…”

“…While some studies prove that smoke chemicals help to reduce OA‐related symptoms (Dubé et al, 2016; Johnsen et al, 2019). A study conducted in 2019 revealed that the prevalence of early or more established knee OA was 37.7% in current smokers and 45% in non‐smokers (Johnsen et al, 2019). Further research is required to understand this complex interlink relation of smoking with OA.…”

Cardiovascular Drugs and Osteoarthritis: Effects of Targeting Ion Channels

“…Nicotine was shown to increase ECM synthesis and enhance chondrocyte metabolism in a rat model [85]. Other studies confronted these findings, concluding that there is no relationship between smoking and OA [86,87]. Direct mechanical joint injury also can cause acute inflammation, increase the production of IL-1β and IL-6 and chronic post-traumatic OA, low mobility and CVD [88,89].…”