Osteoarthritis, insulin and bone density.

We earlier explored the crush and shear forces, associated with periarticular fibrous thickening, in nodal and other forms of osteoarthritis (OA). Looking for a generally acting growth stimulus, we described an association between hyperinsulinemia and DISH. In this study this association was confirmed, and a similar association between low insulin values and osteopenia emerged. A strong association between insulin levels and body weight was confirmed, which explained much of the difference in insulin levels between males and females. Very different kinds of OA were found in robust, hyperinsulinemic subjects as compared with osteopenic, hypoinsulinemic individuals, in which the arthropathy was more deforming, inflammatory, and erosive.