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Researchers link leptin with elevated BMI in patients with knee OA
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Leptin was associated with BMI and independently with knee osteoarthritis, according to researchers from the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical School and the University of Boston.
Data were collected for 653 adults older than 70 years of age who were enrolled in the Maintenance of Balance, Independent Living, Intellect and Zest in the Elderly study in Boston between 2005 and 2008. Weight and height were measured, and BMI was calculated and relevant demographic data were collected. Patients were examined for osteoarthritis (OA) and blood was collected and tested for serum leptin levels.
The relationships between leptin levels, BMI and presence of OA were examined using statistical analysis, including Chi-square tests, one-way analysis of variance, sequential regression analyses and others.
Average BMI was 27.5 kg/m2 and average serum leptin level was 589 pM. The researchers found overweight and obese patients were more likely to be women and former smokers. Overall prevalence of OA was 24.7% — 30% among obese patients, 31% among overweight patients and 15% among those of normal weight, according to the researchers.
Multivariate adjusted analysis results demonstrated a strong association between higher serum leptin and BMI and an increase in the risk for OA. When adjusted for other variables, higher BMI was significantly associated with knee OA. Specifically, for every 5 kg/m2 increase in BMI, patients had a 32% increased odds for knee OA.
Upon including leptin in the model, the researchers found the association between BMI and knee OA was attenuated but not significantly so, which suggested that the association between BMI and knee OA may be mediated by serum leptin in women.
No association between BMI or leptin was seen in men, according to the researchers. – by Shirley Pulawski
Disclosure: Fowler-Brown’s work was supported by the NIH through National Institute on Aging awards to the Hebrew Rehabilitation Center/Harvard Research Nursing Home Program Project (P01-AG-004390) and the Harvard Older Americans Independence Center (AG-287171). Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
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