Associations between biomarkers and skeletal muscle function in individuals with osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Smith, Stephanie L.; Paul, Lorna; Steultjens, Martijn P. M.; Jones, Rebecca L.

Abstract

Objectives: Skeletal muscle dysfunction is the primary cause of functional limitations in osteoarthritis, associated biomarkers have the potential as targets for early disease identification, diagnosis, and prevention of osteoarthritis disability. This review aimed to identify associations between biomarkers and lower limb skeletal muscle function in individuals with osteoarthritis.

Methods: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, Scopus, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science databases from inception to 8th August 2023. Two independent reviewers performed the title, abstract, full-text screening, data extraction and methodological quality assessment. A meta-analysis was undertaken based on the available data.

Results: Twenty-four studies with 4101 participants with osteoarthritis were included (females: 78%; age range; 49 to 71 years). One study reported muscle-specific biomarkers (n=3), whilst six studies reported osteoarthritis-specific markers (n=5). Overall, 93 biomarkers were reported, predominately characterised as inflammatory (n=35), metabolic (n=15), and hormones (n=10). Muscle strength and vitamin D reported a significant association (Hedge’s g: 0.58 (SE: 0.27; P = 0.03), n=3 studies). Walking speed and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein reported no significant associations (Hedge’s g: -0.02 (SE: 0.05; P = 0.73), n=3 studies).

Conclusion: Associations between biomarkers and lower limb skeletal muscle function in individuals with osteoarthritis was limited, the few studies exploring lower limb muscle measures were mainly secondary outcomes. Furthermore, biomarkers were largely related to overall health, with a lack of muscle specific biomarkers. As such, the mechanistic pathways through which these associations occur are less evident, and difficult to draw clear conclusions on these relationships.

Citation

Smith, S. L., Paul, L., Steultjens, M. P. M., & Jones, R. L. (2024). Associations between biomarkers and skeletal muscle function in individuals with osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Arthritis Research and Therapy, 26, Article 189. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13075-024-03419-1

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 16, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Nov 5, 2024
• Publication Date: Nov 5, 2024
• Deposit Date: Oct 24, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 24, 2024
• Journal: Arthritis Research and Therapy
• Print ISSN: 1478-6354
• Electronic ISSN: 1478-6362
• Publisher: BioMed Central
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 26
• Article Number: 189
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13075-024-03419-1
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/40865028
• Publisher URL: https://arthritis-research.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13075-024-03419-1