High genetic risk and severe CKM syndrome linked to much higher knee osteoarthritis rate.
Association of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome with risk of hip/knee osteoarthritis: A prospective cohort study.
Zheng Ma et al. · Maturitas · 2026
Background
Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome reflects the interplay of metabolic, renal, and cardiovascular dysfunction and is linked to adverse health outcomes.
Methods
This prospective cohort study included 256,364 UK Biobank participants free of osteoarthritis at baseline.
Results
high genetic risk and severe CKM syndrome meant a much higher risk of knee arthritis
HR by subgroup · 95% CI
More results
Higher cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome stages were associated with progressively increased risks of both outcomes.
Associations were stronger in individuals <60 years and differed by sex: hip osteoarthritis risk was greater in men, while knee osteoarthritis risk was greater in women.
More results
A positive additive interaction was observed between genetic susceptibility and cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome stage.
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Conclusion
Our findings indicate that higher cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome stages are associated with increased hip/knee osteoarthritis risk, particularly in younger individuals.