To estimate the extent that smoking history is associated with symptoms and disease progression among individuals with radiographically confirmed knee Osteoarthritis (OA).
Smoking is a
serious malice affecting the population. It leads to the body's susceptibility
to many diseases. This study puts forward the view that knee osteoarthritis
(OA) patients get exposed to other well-documented serious health risks in the
smokers.
To estimate the
extent that smoking history is associated with symptoms and disease progression
among individuals with radiographically confirmed knee Osteoarthritis (OA).
Both
cross-sectional (baseline) and longitudinal studies employed data from the
Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) (n = 2250 participants). Smoking history was
assessed at baseline with 44% current or former smokers. The Western Ontario
and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) was used to measure knee
pain, stiffness, and physical function. Disease progression was measured using
joint space width (JSW). We used adjusted multivariable linear models to examine
the relationship between smoking status and exposure in pack years (PY) with
symptoms and JSW at baseline. Changes in symptoms and JSW over time were
further assessed.
In
cross-sectional analyses, compared to never-smokers high PY (≥15 PY) was associated
with slightly greater pain (beta 0.36, 95% CI: 0.01–0.71) and stiffness (beta
0.20, 95% CI: 0.03–0.37); and low PY (<15 PY) was associated with better JSW
(beta 0.15, 95% CI: 0.02–0.28). Current smoking was associated with greater
pain (beta 0.59, 95% CI: 0.04–1.15) compared to never-smokers. These
associations were not confirmed in the longitudinal study. Longitudinally, no
associations were found between high or low PY or baseline smoking status with
changes in symptoms (at 72 months) or JSW (at 48 months).
Cross-sectional
findings are likely due residual confounding. The more robust longitudinal
analysis found no associations between smoking status and symptoms or JSW.
Long-term smoking provides no benefits to knee OA patients while exposing them
to other well-documented serious health risks.
Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 2016 Mar;24(3):465–472
The relationship between smoking and knee osteoarthritis in the Osteoarthritis Initiative
C.E. Dubé et al.
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