TY - JOUR T1 - Associations Between Biomarkers of Joint Metabolism, Hand Osteoarthritis, and Hand Pain and Function: The Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project JF - The Journal of Rheumatology JO - J Rheumatol DO - 10.3899/jrheum.130904 SP - jrheum.130904 AU - Imran Aslam AU - Irina Perjar AU - Xiaoyan A. Shi AU - Jordan B. Renner AU - Virginia B. Kraus AU - Yvonne M. Golightly AU - Joanne M. Jordan AU - Amanda E. Nelson Y1 - 2014/03/01 UR - http://www.jrheum.org/content/early/2014/02/26/jrheum.130904.abstract N2 - Objective To determine the associations between joint metabolism biomarkers and hand radiographic osteoarthritis [(rOA), based on Kellgren Lawrence (KL) grade ≥ 2], symptoms, and function. Methods Cross-sectional data were available for 663 participants (mean age 63 yrs, 63% white, 49% women). Three definitions of hand rOA were considered: (1) a composite measure involving at least 3 hand joints distributed bilaterally with 2 of 3 in the same joint group, including ≥ 1 distal interphalangeal joint, without metacarpophalangeal (MCP) swelling; (2) rOA in at least 1 joint of a group; and (3) number of joints with KL ≥ 2. We assessed hand symptoms and the 15-item Australian Canadian Hand Osteoarthritis Index (AUSCAN; Likert format). We measured serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (sCOMP), hyaluronic acid (sHA), carboxy-terminal propeptide of type II collagen, type II collagen degradation product, urinary C-terminal crosslinked telopeptide of type II collagen, and urinary N-terminal crosslinked telopeptide. Linear regression models were performed to assess associations between each biomarker with hand rOA, AUSCAN, and symptoms, adjusting for age, sex, race, current smoking/drinking status, body mass index, and hip and knee rOA. Results In adjusted analyses, MCP (p < 0.0001) and carpometacarpal rOA (p = 0.003), and a higher number of hand joints with rOA (p = 0.009), were associated with higher levels of sHA. Positive associations were seen between AUSCAN and hand symptoms and levels of sCOMP (p ≤ 0.003) and sHA (p ≤ 0.048). Conclusion Hand symptoms and higher AUSCAN scores were independently associated with higher levels of both sCOMP and sHA; hand rOA was associated only with sHA levels. ER -