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Association between Body Shape Index and Osteoarthritis Predicts Increased Risk

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers from the Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine conducted a study to investigate the association between the body shape index (ABSI) and osteoarthritis (OA). The study utilized data from 39,095 U.S. adults in the 1999 to 2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database. The results showed a significant positive correlation between ABSI and OA, with each 0.01 increase in ABSI associated with a 13% higher risk of OA. The study also found that the association was more pronounced in men and young-to-middle-aged adults.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found a significant positive correlation between ABSI and OA, with a 13% higher risk of OA for each 0.01 increase in ABSI.
  • The highest quartile of ABSI showed a 24% increased risk of OA compared to the lowest quartile.
  • Subgroup analyses showed consistent associations between ABSI and OA, but with variations by sex, age, race, and diabetes status.
  • The association was more pronounced in men and young-to-middle-aged adults, but not statistically significant in women or older adults.
  • The findings suggest that higher ABSI (especially abdominal obesity) predicts an increased risk of OA in men and young-to-middle-aged populations.
  • The study concludes that ABSI can be used as a body size assessment tool to explore underlying mechanisms of OA.

Statistics:

  • 39,095 U.S. adults in the 1999 to 2020 NHANES database were analyzed.
  • 11.50% prevalence of OA was observed in the study population.
  • Each 0.01 increase in ABSI was associated with a 13% higher risk of OA (OR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.23).
  • The highest quartile of ABSI had a 24% increased risk of OA (OR: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.46).
  • The association between ABSI and OA was more pronounced in men (OR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.15, 1.53) and young-to-middle-aged adults (OR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.34).

Sources:

  • Association between a body shape index and osteoarthritis: A cross-sectional study using the NHANES data (1999-2020). Medicine, 2025;104(40).
  • NewsRx. Studies from Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine Reveal New Findings on Osteoarthritis [Association between a body shape index and osteoarthritis: A cross-sectional study using the NHANES data (1999-2020)]. Obesity & Diabetes Week. October 20, 2025; p 149.

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