title: The association of anthropometric measures and osteoarthritis knee in non-obese subjects: a cross sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  (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. CONCLUS'ON: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Erstwhile KG Medical College, CSM Medical University, Lucknow, India. divyasanghi_14@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: Divya
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sanghi
authors.forename: Rajeshwar Nath
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Srivastava
authors.forename: Ajai
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Reema
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kumari
authors.forename: Rachna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mishra
authors.forename: Abhishek
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mishra
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio / Q000009:adverse effects*