Women awaiting knee replacement have reduced function and growth hormone.
Women experience greater functional impairment and occurrence of osteoarthritis than men. We hypothesized that lower levels of serum insulin-like growth factor-I may contribute to gender differences in physical impairments. A cross-sectional comparison (n = 139) was done on candidates having total knee arthroplasty and healthy controls subjects of similar age (range, 55-75 years). Physical function, perceived function, and serum insulin-like growth factor levels were compared across group and gender using analysis of variance. Insulin-like growth factor-I values were markedly reduced in women overall and women having surgery had significantly reduced levels despite lean body mass correction. Values consistent with clinical hormone deficiency were observed in 21% of women and only 4% of men having arthroplasty. Physical function was markedly reduced in women, at times functioning only 33% when compared with healthy women, whereas men's limitations were not as profound. The current findings indicate that physical function is more impaired and serum insulin-like growth factor-I is markedly reduced in women awaiting arthroplasty than their male counterparts. The gender differences observed biochemically and with functional performance indicate that the pathophysiology of end stage osteoarthritis may differ between men and women.
Pagura
Sonia M C
SM
Center for Studies of Physical Function, Orthopaedic and Arthritic Institute, part of Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre, Toronto Ontario. sonia.pagura@utoronto.ca
Thomas
Scott G
SG
Woodhouse
Linda J
LJ
Ezzat
Shereen
S
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000886:Anthropometry; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D001824:Body Constitution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / Q000097:blood; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012737:Sex Factors; D014850:Waiting Lists; D016387:Women's Health
D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I