Association between folate intake and radiographic progression, pain function scores in subjects with radiographic knee osteoarthritis: Data from the osteoarthritis initiative

• Published in: International journal of rheumatic diseases 2024-09, Vol.27 (9), p.e15333-n/a
• Main Authors: Luo, Huanhuan, Zheng, Zitian, Xiong, Yujun, Xu, Huazhao, Xue, Qingyun, Sun, Chao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Arthralgia - diagnosis; Arthralgia - physiopathology; Body weight; Cartilage diseases; Dietary fiber; Dietary intake; dietary risk factors; Disability Evaluation; Disease Progression; epidemiology; Female; folate; Folic acid; Folic Acid - administration & dosage; Food consumption; Humans; Knee; Knee Joint - diagnostic imaging; Knee Joint - physiopathology; knee osteoarthritis; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle strength; Musculoskeletal system; Older people; Osteoarthritis; Osteoarthritis, Knee - diagnostic imaging; Osteoarthritis, Knee - physiopathology; Osteoporosis; Overweight; Pain; Pain Measurement; Radiography; Statistical analysis; Time Factors; Vitamin B
• ISSN: 1756-1841; 1756-185X; 1756-185X
• DOI: 10.1111/1756-185X.15333

Background Folate has an important role in the functioning of the musculoskeletal system, including modulation of inflammation, immunity, cartilage regeneration, prevention of osteoporosis, and maintenance of muscle strength, but evidence on the association between folate intake and knee pain, functional scores, and radiographic progression in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) is still limited. Methodology Our population‐based cohort was extracted from the osteoarthritis initiative (OAI), focusing on individuals with prevalent radiographic knee OA (with a Kellgren–Lawrence score ≥2). Folate consumption was determined using the food frequency questionnaire. Data regarding the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores and radiographic readings were collected over 48 months. We analyzed the compiled data using generalized additive mixed models. Results Our cohort consisted of 1472 OA patients (626 men and 846 women, mean [SD] age 62.35 [8.92]). At the 48‐month follow‐up, we observed a significant correlation between higher folate intake and a slower progression of knee pain and functional scores, as evidenced by a statistically significant decrease in the WOMAC total score, WOMAC pain subscale score, and WOMAC function/disability subscale score (p