https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8327-3826
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Abstract
Objectives
To investigate whether lower limb arterial calcification (LLAC) quantified using computed tomography (CT) was a risk factor for bilateral severe knee osteoarthritis (OA).
Methods
This cross-sectional study included patients who were scheduled for surgical treatment of primary varus knee OA. Knee OA was evaluated using the Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) classification, KL grades 3 and 4 were defined as severe OA. The LLAC score in the bilateral whole leg CT was quantitatively measured and categorized into low or high groups based on the median value. A modified Poisson regression model was used to examine the relationship between the categorized LLAC score and the presence of bilateral severe knee OA with adjustment for possible confounders.
Results
Of a total of 252 patients examined, multivariable modified Poisson regression analysis showed a significant association between higher LLAC score and the presence of bilateral severe knee OA (adjusted risk ratio = 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12–1.48; p < .001). A substantial interaction was observed between male sex and high LLAC (p for interaction = .03).
Conclusion
LLAC was associated with bilateral severe knee OA, and the LLAC score may be a useful measurement to identify patients at risk of bilateral severe knee OA.
Acknowledgements
We thank Drs. Masayuki Azukizawa, Akinori Okahata, and Takuya Tomizawa for their valuable technical assistance and thoughtful discussion. We would like to thank Editage (www.editage.com) for English language editing.
Conflict of interest
HI belongs to the department that is financially supported by third parties (Nagahama City, Toyooka City, Tabnebe-Mitsubishi, Chugai, UCB Japan, Ayumi, Asahi-Kasei). SY, KN, YY, MS, YM, SN, SK and SM declare no conflict of interest in association with the present study.