| Title: | Cartilage metabolism mediates the association between serum vitamin D levels and the risk of osteoarthritis: a prospective cohort study from the UK Biobank |
| Journal: | Clinical Rheumatology |
| Published: | 16 Feb 2026 |
| Pubmed: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41697500/ |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-026-07992-5 |
Publication 17737
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Abstract
ObjectivesTo explore the association between serum vitamin D levels and the risk of knee and hip osteoarthritis (KOA and HOA).MethodsThis study included 295,557 participants (mean 56 years, 53% female) from the UK Biobank who had data on serum vitamin D levels and did not have KOA or HOA at baseline. The associations between serum vitamin D levels and the incidences of KOA and HOA were evaluated using Cox regression models. Mediating effects of serum biomarkers of inflammation (IL-1a, IL-1b, IL-6, and TNF) and cartilage metabolism (COMP, CRTAC1, and COL9A1) were explored.ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 13.1 years, 12,266 (4.2%) and 8931 (3.0%) participants developed KOA and HOA, respectively. Serum vitamin D levels were positively associated with osteoarthritis risk (KOA - hazard ratio [HR] = 1.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12-1.17; HOA - HR = 1.09, 95% CI 1.06-1.12). Compared to participants with severe vitamin D deficiency (< 25 nmol/L), those with sufficient vitamin D levels (≥ 75 nmol/L) had a 55% and 30% higher risk of developing KOA and HOA, respectively. Cartilage metabolism markers, but not inflammation markers, mediated 5.6%-12.6% of the associations between serum vitamin D levels and KOA risk.ConclusionHigh serum vitamin D levels are associated with an increased risk of OA in middle-aged and older adults. While serum vitamin D has recognized benefits for bone and cardiovascular health, these findings highlight a potential association with osteoarthritis risk without suggesting a causal effect.</p>
Key Points• High vitamin D levels increase osteoarthritis risk.• Cartilage metabolism partially mediates this association.• Inflammatory markers show no mediating effect.</p>
17 Keywords
- Aged
- Biological Specimen Banks
- Biomarkers
- Cartilage
- Cartilage, Articular
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Osteoarthritis, Hip
- Osteoarthritis, Knee
- Prospective Studies
- Risk Factors
- UK Biobank
- United Kingdom
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin D Deficiency
6 Authors
- Junjie Wang
- Xusheng Cheng
- Jianqiao Wang
- Jingyi Yin
- Xing Xing
- Guoqi Cai
1 Application
| Application ID | Title |
|---|---|
| 96569 | Uncovering the interplay between musculoskeletal diseases and cardiometabolic and cognitive health |
Enabling scientific discoveries that improve human health