Association of metabolic syndrome and its components with knee osteoarthritis in the older adults of Amirkola City.

BACKGROUND

Knee osteoarthritis is a very common disease that leads to mobility disabilities in older adults. In recent years, a link between metabolic syndrome and knee osteoarthritis has been reported. However, there are conflicting findings regarding this association. Our study was conducted to investigate the relationship between metabolic syndrome and its components and knee osteoarthritis in the older adults of Amirkola City.

METHODS

In this case-control study, the diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis was based on the EULAR criteria. 590 older adults were examined in two groups of older adults with and without knee osteoarthritis. Both groups were compared on the frequency of metabolic syndrome and its components. Also, the variables of quadriceps femoris muscle strength, body mass index, physical activity level, and smoking were investigated as control variables between the two groups. Data was analyzed using SPSS 20 software and statistical tests of chi-square, t-test, and logistic regression. A significance level of p< 0.05 was considered.

RESULTS

In this study, there was no significant relationship between knee osteoarthritis and metabolic syndrome (OR = 1.38, CI = 0.98-1.93, P = .06). Among the components of metabolic syndrome, waist circumference (P = 0.004) and blood pressure (P = 0.007) had a significant relationship with knee osteoarthritis. The variables of quadriceps femoris muscle strength, physical activity level, and age had a significant effect on knee osteoarthritis.

CONCLUSION

These findings show that knee osteoarthritis has no significant relationship with metabolic syndrome and its components, except for blood pressure and waist circumference.