Published on June 3rd, 2013
The American Journal of Medicine published a study in March 2013 reporting that subclinical vitamin K deficiency is associated with increased risk of developing knee osteoarthritis. Currently, osteoarthritis affects nearly 27 million Americans age 25 and older.
Researchers evaluated 1,180 subjects with an average age of 62 years and average body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2. The subjects underwent knee x-rays and MRIs at the beginning of the study and again after 30 months. The investigators also measured plasma phylloquinone (vitamin K) levels at the beginning of the study.
The researchers found that subclinical vitamin K deficiency was associated with a 56 percent increased risk of knee osteoarthritis and 139 percent increased risk of cartilage lesions, compared to the subjects with sufficient vitamin K. The subjects with subclinical vitamin K deficiency were also 33 percent more likely to develop osteoarthritis in one or both knees compared to neither knee.
The investigators stated, “In the first such longitudinal study, subclinical vitamin K deficiency was associated with increased risk of developing radiographic knee osteoarthritis and MRI-based cartilage lesions. Further study of vitamin K is warranted given its therapeutic/prophylactic potential for osteoarthritis.”
Reference:
Misra D, et al. Am J Med. 2013;3:243-8.
http://www.wholehealthinsider.com/single-vitamins/osteoarthritis-related-to-vitamin-k-deficiency/?
