Cardiovascular Risk Profile and Osteoarthritis-Considering Sex and Multisite Joint Involvement: A Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging Population-Based Study

Objective. The objective of this study was to investigate a profile of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors by sex among individuals with and without osteoarthritis (OA) and to consider single-site and multisite joint OA. Methods. Data were sourced from Cycle 1, Comprehensive Cohort, Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, a national sample of individuals ages 45 to 85 years. Systemic inflammatory/metabolic CVD risk factors collected were high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) level, high-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, total cholesterol, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure, and hemoglobin A1c. Smoking history was also collected. Respondents indicated doctor-diagnosed OA in the knees, hips, and/or hands and were characterized as yes/no OA and single site/multisite OA. Individuals with OA were age- and sex-matched to non-OA controls. Covariates were age, sex, education, income, physical activity, timed up and go test findings, and comorbidities. A latent CVD risk variable was derived in women and men; standardized scores were categorized as follows: lowest, mid-low, mid-high, and highest risk. Associations with OA were quantified using ordinal logistic regressions. Results. A total of 6,098 respondents (3,049 with OA) had a median age of 63 years, and 55.8% were women. One-third of OA respondents were in the highest risk category versus one-fifth of non-OA respondents. Apart from BMI (the largest contributor in both sexes), hsCRP level (an inflammation marker) was predominant in women, and metabolic factors and smoking were predominant in men. Overall, OA was associated with worse CVD risk quartiles compared with non-OA. OA was increasingly associated with worse CVD risk quartiles with increasing risk thresholds among women with multisite OA, but not men. Conclusion. Findings suggest unique CVD risks by sex/multisite subgroups and point to a potentially important role for inflammation in OA over and above traditional CVD risk factors.

Automated summary

The study investigated the profile of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among individuals with and without osteoarthritis (OA), considering sex and single-site and multisite OA. Results showed unique CVD risks by sex/multisite subgroups and suggested inflammation as a potentially important factor in OA beyond traditional CVD risk factors.