Levothyroxine use and longitudinal changes in thigh muscles in at-risk participants for knee osteoarthritis: preliminary analysis from Osteoarthritis Initiative cohort
Main finding · Quadriceps CSA, 4-year longitudinal changeResult — go to the resultMean difference - 16.06 mm²/year 95% CI - 26.70 to - 5.41Authors' conclusion
Our exploratory analyses suggest that levothyroxine use may be associated with loss of quadriceps muscle mass, which may also partially mediate the increased risk of subsequent KOA incidence.
Study context
- Population
- Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) participants at risk but without established radiographic knee osteoarthritis (KOA) (baseline KL < 2)matched thighs/knees
- Participants
- 1,043 participants
- Exposure
- Levothyroxine users vs matched levothyroxine non-users
- Levothyroxine usersn = 266
- Non-usersn = 777reference
- Outcome
- 4-year longitudinal changes in thigh muscle mass (CSA) and composition (intra-MAT, contractile percentage, specific force)
- Follow-up
- 4 years
Methodological detailspropensity-score matched (1:2/3), mediation analysis, deep learning MRI thigh segmentation
- Propensity-score matched (1:2/3)
- Mediation analysis
- Deep learning MRI thigh segmentation
Main finding
Quadriceps CSA, 4-year longitudinal change
Mean difference
- 16.06 mm²/year
95% CI - 26.70 to - 5.41
As reported in the abstract
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Radiographic KOA incidence (KL ≥ 2) · 8 years
| HR (95% CI) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Levothyroxine usevs non-users | 1.78 (1.15–2.75) | |
| 0.20.5125Hazard ratio (log scale) |
Symptomatic KOA incidence · 8 years
| HR (95% CI) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Levothyroxine usevs non-users | 1.93 (1.19–3.13) | |
| 0.20.5125Hazard ratio (log scale) |
Mediation of KOA incidence by quadriceps mass
- Decrease in quadriceps mass (cross-sectional area (CSA)) partially mediated the increased risk of KOA incidence associated with levothyroxine use
Original publication
Levothyroxine use and longitudinal changes in thigh muscles in at-risk participants for knee osteoarthritis: preliminary analysis from Osteoarthritis Initiative cohort. Arthritis Res Ther. Published 11 April 2023. doi:10.
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