Association between body weight fluctuation and progression of radiographic knee osteoarthritis: a longitudinal cohort study
Authors' conclusion
Body weight fluctuations are a potential risk factor for symptom progression in RKOA, especially among overweight/obese individuals or those who gain weight.
Study context
- Population
- People with radiographic knee OA (radiographic knee osteoarthritis (RKOA)), Osteoarthritis Initiative2,993 knees (pain), 2789 knees (joint space width (JSW))
- Participants
- 2,051 people
- Exposure
- High vs lower body weight variability from baseline to 48 months
- Outcome
- Progression of knee pain (WOMAC pain) and joint space loss (decrease of ≥0.7 mm in medial JSW)
- Follow-up
- 48 months
Methodological detailsgeneralised estimating equations, adjusted for covariates
- Generalised estimating equations
- Adjusted for covariates
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Aggravated knee pain
Odds ratio (95% CI)
High variabilityvs Lower variability
1.24(1.01–1.51)
MD (95% CI)
High variabilityvs Lower variability
0.30(0.05–0.54)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | OR (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Aggravated knee pain in initially overweight or obese (subgroup)High variabilityvs Lower variability | 1.30 (1.05–1.62) | |
| Aggravated knee pain in those who gained >3% body weight (subgroup)High variabilityvs Lower variability | 1.54 (1.01–2.33) | |
| 0.512Odds ratio (log scale) |
| Outcome | MD (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Aggravated knee pain in initially overweight or obese (subgroup)High variabilityvs Lower variability | 0.35 (0.08–0.62) | |
| Aggravated knee pain in those who gained >3% body weight (subgroup)High variabilityvs Lower variability | 0.65 (0.16–1.14) | |
| −0.500.511.5Difference (linear scale) |
Parts of this Brief are withheld: the automatic checks could not confirm them against the abstract.
Original publication
Association between body weight fluctuation and progression of radiographic knee osteoarthritis: a longitudinal cohort study. RMD Open. Published 21 September 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →