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Radiographic hand osteoarthritis and serum levels of osteocalcin: cross-sectional study
Leonid Kalichman1, Eugene Kobyliansky
1Department of Physical Therapy, Recanati School for Community Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, 84105, Beer Sheva, Israel. kleonid@bgu.ac.il
Insights
Serum osteocalcin levels are linked to the severity of hand osteoarthritis (OA). Higher osteocalcin correlates with more severe radiographic findings, particularly joint space narrowing, in this population-based study.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Biochemistry
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Hand osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disease.
- Osteocalcin, a bone metabolism marker, has been investigated for its role in OA.
- Understanding biomarkers associated with OA severity is crucial for disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between radiographic hand OA and serum osteocalcin levels.
- To explore the relationship between osteocalcin and specific OA severity metrics.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional population-based study of 550 individuals.
- Radiographic assessment of 14 hand joints using Kellgren and Lawrence (K-L), joint space narrowing (JSN), and osteophyte (OS) scores.
- Serum-intact osteocalcin measured by immunoradiometric assay.
Main Results:
- Over 50% of individuals showed radiographic evidence of hand OA (K-L ≥ 2).
- Serum osteocalcin demonstrated a significant positive association with the severity of hand OA based on K-L, JSN, and OS scales.
- A significant association was found between osteocalcin levels and the presence of joint space narrowing (JSN ≥ 2).
Conclusions:
- Serum osteocalcin levels are positively associated with the severity of radiographic hand OA.
- Osteocalcin may serve as a potential biomarker reflecting the extent of degenerative changes in hand OA.
Abstract:
The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between radiographic hand osteoarthritis and serum level of osteocalcin. The study population comprised Chuvashians (285 males, age 47.38 +/- 16.79; 265 females, age 48.55 +/- 15.94 years). OA was evaluated for 14 joints of each hand using Kellgren and Lawrence (K-L), joint space narrowing (JSN) and osteophytes (OS) scores. Plasma-intact osteocalcin was measured in 550 individuals by immunoradiometric assay using ELSA-OSTEO kit. Statistical analyses included multiple linear and logistic regressions. 51.64% of studied individuals had at least one finger joint affected at K-L > or = 2 level. JSN at the level > or = 2 was found in 9.82% and OS > or = 2 was found in 35.09% of the studied individuals. Osteocalcin showed a modest, but statistically significant, association with the number of affected joints according the K-L scale (beta = 0.082, p = 0.015), JSN scale (beta = 0.097, p = 0.025) and OS scale (beta = 0.078, p = 0.029). No significant association was found between the presence of at least one affected joint (K-L > or = 2 or OS > or = 2) and serum level of osteocalcin. Presence of at least one joint with space narrowing > or = 2 was significantly associated with serum level of osteocalcin (beta = 0.052, p = 0.023). In this cross-sectional population-based study, we found that serum level of osteocalcin is positively associated with severity of hand OA, measured by K-L, JSN and OS scales.
