Osteoarthritis of the knee joint and its association with metabolic syndrome: A case control study

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint (OAK) represents a leading cause of pain, functional limitation, and diminished quality of life, particularly among older adults. The association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and OAK is of growing interest due to the potential impact of MetS components on joint health. While evidence suggests that MetS and its components may influence the development of osteoarthritis (OA), the specific relationship between MetS and the likelihood of progressing to a stage of OAK that requires Total knee replacement (TKA) remains underexplored.

This study aimed to evaluate the association between osteoarthritis of the knee joint (OAK) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and to know whether the presence of MetS (or its components) increases the risk of OAK requiring Total knee replacement (TKA).

It is a cross-sectional study that includes patients (males and females) above 50. Data collection was done including demographic details, medical history, physical examinations, and laboratory tests. OAK (≥grade 2 Kellgren-Lawrence) and severe OAK (≥grade 3 Kellgren-Lawrence) were evaluated based on radiological findings.

Mean, standard deviation, frequencies, and percentages were calculated for baseline characteristics. To analyze the association between qualitative factors and MetS, the Chi-Square test was used. For comparing quantitative factors, the unpaired t-test was employed. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The study involved 107 primary osteoarthritis patients categorized into cases (N = 57), requiring TKA, and controls (N = 50), not requiring TKA. MetS was significantly more prevalent among cases than controls, with 68.4% of cases and 36% of controls testing positive for MetS (P = 0.001). The odds of having MetS were 3.9 times higher in the cases compared to the controls.

The results of our research could shed light on how MetS affects the onset and course of OAK, guiding primary care and prevention measures. It might also emphasize how critical it is to treat MetS symptoms to lessen the severity of OAK. Understanding whether MetS or its components are linked to an increased risk of TKA could provide crucial insights into preventive and therapeutic strategies for managing severe OAK.