Association of serum uric acid level with osteoarthritis of knee joint

Abstract EN

Background and objectives Previous studies have shown an association between serum uric acid and generalized osteoarthritis, but the evidence of an association between serum uric acid and knee joint osteoarthritis is limited.

The objective of the study is to determine the existence of association between serum uric acid level and osteoarthritis of the knee joint and its significance.

Methods A Case-control study was done at rheumatology outpatient clinic at Duhok center for rheumatologic diseases and medical rehabilitation.

Two hundred (200) participants aged 31-69 years were recruited; one hundred were patients with unilateral or bilateral knee joint osteoarthritis and 100 were healthy controls.

Detailed medical history was obtained at interview.

Both patients and controls underwent clinical examination, radiography and fasting blood analysis of uric acid, urea, creatinine, sugar, total cholesterol and triglycerides.

Results A significant positive association was found between serum uric acid levels and presence of the knee joint osteoarthritis [highest (third) tertile versus lowest (first) tertile of serum uric acid odd Ratio =4.10, 95% confidence interval (1.73-9.70), P-value < 0.05].

Also a significant positive association was found between serum uric acid levels and progression of the knee joint osteoarthritis [highest (third) tertile versus lowest (first) tertile of serum uric acid odd ratio=2.18, 95% confidence interval (1.03-4.61), P-value < 0.05].

Conclusion The results suggest a significant positive association between serum uric acid levels and knee joint osteoarthritis.