Bidirectional Association Between Diabetes and Osteoarthritis: A Population‐Based Cohort Study
Main finding · Incident KOA by baseline DM, before BMI adjustmentResult — go to the resultTR 0.91 95% CI 0.87–0.95Authors' conclusion
Our findings reveal an asymmetric bidirectional link between DM and joint-specific OA. While both KOA and HOA are associated with earlier DM onset, the impact of DM on KOA is confounded or mediated by BMI, where covariate adjustment induces directional instability.
Study context
- Population
- Middle-aged and older adults, UK Biobank
- Exposure
- Baseline diabetes mellitus (DM) vs no DM; baseline KOA/HOA vs none
- Outcome
- Incidence of KOA and HOA (by baseline DM) and incidence of DM (by baseline KOA and HOA)
- Follow-up
- 13.5-year follow-up
Methodological detailsaccelerated failure time models
- Accelerated failure time models
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Incident KOA by baseline DM, before BMI adjustment
TR
0.91
95% CI 0.87–0.95
P < 0.001
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | TR (95% CI) | P value |
|---|---|---|
| Incident KOA by baseline DM, after BMI adjustment · 13.5-year follow-upDM vs No DM · marginal association with delayed KOA onset | 1.04 (1.00–1.09) | P = 0.058 |
| Incident DM by baseline KOA and HOA · 13.5-year follow-upKOA vs No OA · earlier DM onset · before or after adjusting for BMI | 0.91 (0.86–0.97) | P = 0.005 |
| Incident DM by baseline KOA and HOA · 13.5-year follow-upHOA vs No OA · earlier DM onset · before or after adjusting for BMI | 0.68 (0.50–0.95) | P = 0.021 |
Original publication
Bidirectional Association Between Diabetes and Osteoarthritis: A Population‐Based Cohort Study. Diabetes Obes Metab. Published 26 August 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →