Research Journal of Medical Sciences
ISSN: Online 1993-6095ISSN: Print 1815-9346
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Abstract
Joint degeneration, primarily osteoarthritis, is a prevalent condition among the elderly, impacting quality of life and mobility. Body Mass Index (BMI) has been implicated as a significant risk factor due to the mechanical and metabolic stresses it imposes on joint structures. To assess the impact of BMI on the degree of joint degeneration in an elderly population and to explore the mediating role of systemic inflammation in this relationship. This cross‐sectional study included 170 elderly participants classified into four BMI categories: Normal Weight, Overweight, Obese and Severely Obese. Joint degeneration was assessed clinically and systemic inflammation was evaluated by measuring markers such as CRP, ESR, IL‐6 and TNF‐alpha. The associations between BMI, systemic inflammation and joint degeneration were analyzed using logistic regression to compute odds ratios (ORs), confidence intervals (CIs) and p‐values. The study found that higher BMI categories were significantly associated with an increased risk of joint degeneration. Participants in the Overweight and Obese categories had ORs of 2.43 (95% CI: 2.27‐2.81, p = 0.018) and 2.10 (95% CI: 1.98‐2.21, p = 0.017) respectively, compared to those in the Normal Weight category. Systemic inflammatory markers also showed significant correlations with joint degeneration, suggesting an inflammatory pathway contribution. Effective BMI management, including diet modification, exercise and combined therapies, showed a significant reduction in the odds of joint degeneration. The findings underscore the detrimental impact of higher BMI on joint health and highlight the potential benefits of targeted BMI management strategies to mitigate joint degeneration in the elderly. Future longitudinal studies are recommended to further elucidate these relationships and refine intervention strategie.
How to cite this article:
Shriram Baliram Devkate, Rohit Rameshchandra Kakani, Degaonkar Vivekanand Vijay and Pravin Manohar Swami. Evaluating the Impact of BMI on Joint Degeneration in an Elderly Population.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/10.36478/makrjms.2024.10.407.411
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1815-9346/10.36478/makrjms.2024.10.407.411