Study of metabolic syndrome frequency in elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis and its impact on the physical activity

Background
Obesity is associated with an increased risk of osteoarthritis (OA). Metabolic syndrome (Met S) has been associated with a state of chronic low-grade inflammation and increased macrophages in the fat tissue. Hypertension and hyperglycaemia seem to be important BMI-independent factors of changes in osteoarthritic joints. Moreover, type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) has been found to be an independent risk predictor for arthroplasty.
Aim of the work
To determine frequency and association of metabolic syndrome with knee osteoarthritis in elderly patients and its impact on the physical activity in elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Patients
The study included patients aged above 65 years complaining of primary knee OA. The study included two groups: Gp A: Sixty patients >65 years with primary OA. Gp B: Forty apparently healthy elderly persons without knee OA as a control group. Exclusion Criteria: Patients with secondary knee OA.
Methods
All Patients were subjected to the following: Complete history taking, self-rated was measured by (SF-36), BMI, complete clinical musculoskeletal examination. C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) 1st hr, fasting glucose level, 2 hr-post-prandial glucose level, triglycerides (TG), cholesterol, uric acid, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and radiographic imaging of affected knee joints.
Results
According to (k/L) score of severity; grade 3 and grade 4 OA were significantly higher in patients with Met S than patients without Met S. The mean WOMAC pain subscale score was significantly higher in patients with OA and Met S than in patients with OA and without Met S with value (<0.001). There was a significant positive correlation between the both joint pain, stiffness and fasting blood glucose level (=−0.463 =<0.001; =0.324, =0.012 respectively); systolic, diastolic blood pressure and waist circumference in OA patients (group I) with Met S.
Conclusion
Elevated systemic markers of inflammation are linked with components of Met S, with an increased prevalence of radiographic OA and joint symptoms.