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C-Reactive Protein Linked with Bone Marrow Lesions
BMC Musculoskelet Disord; ePub 2018 Jan 5; Stout, et al
Among individuals without knee osteoarthritis (OA), C-reactive protein (CRP) may be related to the presence of knee bone marrow lesions (BMLs) and effusion among normal weight individuals, a recent study found. In addition, abnormal glycated serum protein (GSP) may be associated with effusion. Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study using baseline data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative. They selected participants who had no radiographic knee OA but were at high risk for knee OA. Blinded staff conducted assays for CRP, GSP, and glucose. Readers segmented BML volume and effusion using semi-automated programs. 343 participants were included (mean age = 59 ± 9 years, BMI = 27.9 ± 4.5 kg/m2, PASE score = 171 ± 82, and 64% female). They found:
- Only CRP was associated with BML prevalence.
- For effusion, an interaction between BMI and CRP was found: Only among adults with a BMI <25 kg/m2 was there a significant trend towards a positive association between CRP and effusion.
- A U-shaped relationship was detected between GSP and effusion prevalence.
- Fasting glucose levels were not significantly associated with the presence of baseline effusion or BML.
Stout AC, Barbe MF, Eaton CB, et al. Inflammation and glucose homeostasis are associated with specific structural features among adults without knee osteoarthritis: A cross-sectional study from the Osteoarthritis Initiative. [Published online ahead of print January 5, 2018]. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. doi:10.1186/s12891-017-1921-6.