Bile Acids Metabolism in Symptomatic Hand Osteoarthritis
Authors' conclusion
Dysregulated BA metabolism, particularly elevated DCA levels, is associated with SHOA.
Study context
- Population
- Xiangya Osteoarthritis (XO) Study participants (mean age 63.1 years, 58.4% women, all Asian), with an independent validation cohortdiscovery cohort
- Participants
- 1,359 participants
- Exposure
- Plasma BA levels in relation to symptomatic hand osteoarthritis (SHOA)
- Outcome
- Association between plasma BA metabolism and SHOA
Methodological detailsdiscovery and independent validation cohort, logistic regression, multiomics integration with gut microbiome data, exploratory gene-based meta-analyses
- Discovery and independent validation cohort
- Logistic regression
- Multiomics integration with gut microbiome data
- Exploratory gene-based meta-analyses
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
SHOA presence (discovery cohort)
Odds ratio (95% CI)
Elevated DCA species
1.75(1.03–2.96)
Elevated DCA
2.14(1.24–3.70)
- SHOA prevalence in discovery cohort
- 5.2%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Replication in independent cohort (n = 142)
- Associations replicated
Correlation with SHOA-related gut microbes
- Deoxycholic acid (DCA) species, DCA and DCA species-to-total bile acids (BAs) ratio significantly correlated with SHOA-related gut microbes; DCA interacted with them and was associated with SHOA
Genes encoding BA receptors and hand OA (exploratory gene-based meta-analyses)
- Significant associations of genes encoding Farnesoid X receptor and pregnane X receptor with hand OA
- Exploratory analysis
Original publication
Bile Acids Metabolism in Symptomatic Hand Osteoarthritis. Arthritis Rheumatol. Published 30 March 2026. doi:10.
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