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The value of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in hand and knee radiographic osteoarthritis: data from the Dong-gu Study

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Abstract

Due to the inconsistent association between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and osteoarthritis (OA), we evaluated the relationship between hs-CRP and various radiographic findings in older adults with OA. This cross-sectional study recruited 2376 participants from the population-based Dong-gu cohort. The scores of radiographic features in OA on X-rays of the knees and hands were computed using a semi-quantitative grading system. The hs-CRP levels were measured using a particle-enhanced immunonephelometry assay. Correlations showing the relationship between hs-CRP and OA were calculated using multiple linear correlation analysis. The hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in older subjects (p < 0.001), those with a higher body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001), current smokers (p < 0.001), current alcohol drinkers (p = 0.011), those who were less physically active (p = 0.002), and those with a lower level of education (p = 0.043). After adjusting for BMI and other confounders, the total OA scores (knee, p = 0.022; hand, p = 0.029) and sclerosis score (knee, p = 0.007; hand, p = 0.030) in the knees and hands were all significantly positively correlated with hs-CRP. A significant association was also observed between hs-CRP and hand erosion score (p = 0.045), hand malalignment score (p = 0.015), and tibial attrition score (p = 0.039). In this large cross-sectional study, a higher hs-CRP level was significantly associated with radiographic OA severity. Of the various types of radiographic damage, all of sclerosis, erosion, and malalignment were significantly associated with hs-CRP levels.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the patients and their families for their participation in this study. We also thank the Health Promotion Fund, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea, for granting access to the Dong-gu Study.

Funding

This study was supported by AbbVie Korea, the Chonnam National University Hospital Biomedical Research Institute (CRE 16159-7), and the Chonnam National University Research Institute of Medical Sciences.

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Author notes

  1. Lihui Wen and Min-Ho Shin contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rheumatology, Chonnam National University Medical School & Hospital, 42 Jebong-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju, 61469, Republic of Korea

    Lihui Wen, Ji-Hyoun Kang, Yi-Rang Yim, Ji-Eun Kim, Jeong-Won Lee, Kyung-Eun Lee, Dong-Jin Park, Tae-Jong Kim, Yong-Wook Park & Shin-Seok Lee

  2. Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China

    Lihui Wen

  3. Department of Preventive Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea

    Min-Ho Shin & Sun-Seog Kweon

  4. Jeonnam Regional Cancer Center, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Republic of Korea

    Sun-Seog Kweon

  5. Department of Preventive Medicine & Institute of Wonkwang Medical Science, Wonkwang University College of Medicine, Iksan, Republic of Korea

    Young-Hoon Lee

  6. Gwangju-Jeonnam Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Center, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea

    Yong-Woon Yun

Authors
  1. Lihui Wen
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  2. Min-Ho Shin
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shin-Seok Lee.

Ethics declarations

This research complied with the Helsinki Declaration. Informed consent was obtained from all enrolled participants. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Chonnam National University Hospital (IRB No. CNUH-2015-251).

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Wen, L., Shin, MH., Kang, JH. et al. The value of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in hand and knee radiographic osteoarthritis: data from the Dong-gu Study. Clin Rheumatol 37, 1099–1106 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-017-3921-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-017-3921-1

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