Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2026
Automated Joint Space Detection Improves Bone Segmentation Accuracy
Published on: November 28, 2025
Association between vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 and radiographic hand osteoarthritis
L Kalichman1, I Pantsulaia, E Kobyliansky
1Department of Physical Therapy, Recanati School for Community Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel. kleonid@bgu.ac.il
Background:
A recent study showed that the level of soluble Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 (VCAM-1) emerged as a strong and independent predictor of the risk of hip and knee joint replacement due to severe osteoarthritis (OA). Therefore, we hypothesized that soluble VCAM-1 level can be associated with prevalence and severity of radiographic hand OA.
Objectives:
To evaluate the association between soluble VCAM-1, and radiographic hand OA in a large community-based sample.
Methods:
The study population comprised Chuvashians (473 males age 45.90±17.16; and 451 females, age 46.18±16.70 years). OA was evaluated for 14 joints of each hand using Kellgren and Lawrence (K-L). OA was characterised by the number of affected joints and by the presence of at least one affected joint. The VCAM-1 level was determined by a sandwichenzyme immunoassay technique using ELISA-OSTEO kit. Statistical analyses included multiple linear and logistic regressions.
Results:
The linear regression model showed a significant association of a number of affected joints with VCAM-1 level (p=0.004) after adjustment for age, sex, BMI. In the logistic regression model the level of association between the presence of at least one affected joint and soluble VCAM-1 level was p=0.070 (OR(95%CI): 1.003 (1.000, 1.007)).
Conclusions:
In this cross-sectional population-based study, we found that the serum level of soluble VCAM-1 level is positively associated with the number of affected joints of hand OA.
