Sex-specific differences in a body shape index and osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional study using NHANES data (1999-2020)

Zhen Ai¹Jingxua Cui¹Yang Yang¹Dingxuan Liu¹Xi Gao^2*

• ¹Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
• ²The First Hospital Affiliated with Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Jilin Province, China

The relationship between A Body Shape Index (ABSI) and osteoarthritis (OA) is uncertain, especially with regard to gender-age differences, and the study aimed to investigate the association between ABSI and OA as well as its gender-specific differences and age differences. The study analyzed data from 39,095 U.S. adults in the 1999-2020 NHANES database, in which the prevalence of OA was 11.50%, and the formula for calculating ABSI was WC (m) / BMI (kg/m 2 ) 2/3 × Height (m) 1/2 . A weighted multivariate-adjusted logistic regression model showed a significant positive correlation between ABSI and OA; ABSI and OA were significantly positively correlated. Especially with regard to gender differences. significant positive correlation: for every 0.01 increase in ABSI, the risk of OA increased by 13% (OR:1.13; 95% CI:1.03,1.23). Higher ABSI quartiles showed a 24% increased risk of OA compared with the lowest quartile (OR: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.05,1.46). Subgroup analyses showed consistent associations between the various interaction responses, but varied by sex, age, race, and diabetes. Notably, this relationship was more significant in men as well as young and middle-aged adults, whereas it was not statistically significant in women and older men. These findings suggest that higher ABSI (especially abdominal obesity) predicts an increased risk of OA development in men and in young and middle-aged populations, and that targeted interventions are warranted. Future studies should use ABSI as a body size assessment tool to explore the underlying mechanisms.