The association of anthropometric measures and osteoarthritis knee in non-obese subjects: a cross sectional study

• Published in: Clinics (São Paulo, Brazil) Vol. 66; no. 2; pp. 275 - 279
• Main Authors: Sanghi, Divya, Srivastava, Rajeshwar Nath, Singh, Ajai, Kumari, Reema, Mishra, Rachna, Mishra, Abhishek
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Elsevier España, S.L.U 01.01.2011; Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina / USP; Elsevier España
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Analysis of Variance; Anthropometric measures; BMI; Body Mass Index; Clinical Science; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Knee; Male; MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL; Middle Aged; Obesity; Osteoarthritis; Osteoarthritis, Knee - classification; Osteoarthritis, Knee - etiology; Sex Factors; Skinfold Thickness; Waist-Hip Ratio - adverse effects; Knee; Obesity; Anthropometric measures; Osteoarthritis; BMI
• ISSN: 1807-5932; 1980-5322; 1980-5322
• DOI: 10.1590/S1807-59322011000200016

Body mass index (BMI) and knee osteoarthritis have a strong association, but other anthropometric measures lack such associations. To date, no study has evaluated non-obese knee osteoarthritis to negate the systemic and metabolic effects of obesity. This study examines the validity of the contention that BMI and other anthropometric measures have a significant relationship with knee osteoarthritis. In total, 180 subjects with a diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis were recruited and classified according to Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grades. Body mass index, mid-upper arm circumference, waist-hip ratio and triceps-skinfold thickness were recorded by standard procedures. Osteoarthritis outcome scores (WOMAC) were evaluated. (1) In both genders, the BMI was significantly higher for KL grade 4 than for grade 2; triceps-skinfold thickness was positively correlated with the joint space width of the tibial medial compartment. (2) In males, triceps-skinfold thickness significantly increased as the KL grades moved from 2 to 4; the significantly higher BMI found in varus aligned knees was positively correlated with WOMAC scores. (3) In females, the waist-hip ratio was significantly higher for KL grade 4 than for grade 2; a significant correlation was found between BMI and WOMAC scores. The waist-hip ratio was significantly associated with varus aligned knees and it positively correlated with WOMAC scores and with the joint space width of the tibial medial compartment. The mid-upper arm circumference demonstrated no correlation with knee osteoarthritis. This study validates the contention that BMI and other anthropometric measures have a significant association with knee osteoarthritis. Contrary to common belief, the triceps-skinfold thickness (peripheral fat) in males and the waist-hip ratio (central fat) in females were more strongly associated with knee osteoarthritis than BMI.