Olansen Jon, Yin Minglang, Molino Janine, Carruthers Thomas, Jenkins Derek, Karniadakis George, Aaron Roy K
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA.
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
Osteoarthr Cartil Open. 2024 Oct 29;6(4):100537. doi: 10.1016/j.ocarto.2024.100537. eCollection 2024 Dec.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a widespread chronic joint disorder characterized by the degeneration of articular cartilage, extensive bone remodeling, ligamentous fibrosis, and synovial inflammation impacting millions. Shared factors like phenotypic similarities, hypofibrinolysis, and inflammation constitute similarities in pathophysiology and clinical manifestations between OA and peripheral vascular disease (PVD). This study investigated peripheral arterial flow characteristics, vascular wall thickness, and stiffness in knee OA to clarify a potential association with early atherosclerosis.
The OA cohort consisted of 35 knees with a mean age of 69 years. The control cohort consisted of 58 knees with a mean age of 68 years. Subjects underwent arterial ultrasound scanning of the common femoral, superficial femoral, and popliteal arteries. Data measured included peak systolic volumetric flow, intima-media thickness, systolic and diastolic vessel diameter, and simultaneous EKG and flow curves. Structural and functional vascular data were quantified using the incremental Young's modulus, pulse wave velocity (PWV), and distensibility.
Significantly elevated arterial volumetric flow, measures of arterial stiffness, and intima-media wall thickness were observed in those with OA compared to those without. PWV as calculated by the Bramwell-Hill equation were found to be significantly greater in all three vessels of patients with OA.
This study supports the association between peripheral arterial pathology and knee OA, consistent with shared clinical and phenotypic traits. The observed characteristics of early vascular pathology suggest potential pathophysiologic linkages between OA and PVD. This foundational framework provides avenues for mechanistic studies exploring the relationship between these two disease processes.
骨关节炎（OA）是一种广泛存在的慢性关节疾病，其特征为关节软骨退变、广泛的骨质重塑、韧带纤维化和滑膜炎症，影响着数百万人。OA与外周血管疾病（PVD）在病理生理学和临床表现方面存在相似之处，如表型相似、纤溶功能减退和炎症等共同因素。本研究调查了膝关节OA患者的外周动脉血流特征、血管壁厚度和僵硬度，以阐明其与早期动脉粥样硬化的潜在关联。
OA队列包括35个膝关节，平均年龄69岁。对照组包括58个膝关节，平均年龄68岁。受试者接受了股总动脉、股浅动脉和腘动脉的超声扫描。测量的数据包括收缩期峰值容积流量、内膜中层厚度、收缩期和舒张期血管直径，以及同步的心电图和血流曲线。使用增量杨氏模量、脉搏波速度（PWV）和扩张性对血管的结构和功能数据进行量化。
与无OA者相比，OA患者的动脉容积流量、动脉僵硬度指标和内膜中层壁厚度显著升高。发现通过Bramwell-Hill方程计算的PWV在OA患者所有三条血管中均显著更高。
本研究支持外周动脉病变与膝关节OA之间的关联，这与共同的临床和表型特征一致。观察到的早期血管病变特征提示OA与PVD之间存在潜在的病理生理联系。这一基础框架为探索这两种疾病过程之间关系的机制研究提供了途径。
