Free testosterone may have protective effect against chronic knee pain among females: Study
A new study published in the Osteoarthritis and Cartilage journal found that testosterone levels are linked differently to joint health in men and women. The study within the extensive Rotterdam Study cohort, examined more than 8,600 individuals aged 45 and older to uncover how testosterone influences osteoarthritis (OA) and chronic pain outcomes in knee and hand joints.
This study focused on 2 types of testosterone measurements: total testosterone and free testosterone. Using advanced statistical models like generalized linear models and generalized estimating equations, this study adjusted their analysis for critical factors like age, body mass index (BMI), lifestyle habits, and co-morbidities to ensure robust and unbiased findings.
The results found higher levels of both total testosterone and free testosterone were significantly associated with a lower prevalence of radiographic knee osteoarthritis, in women. Also, women with higher total testosterone had a 16% reduced risk (Relative Risk (RR) 0.84, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.69–1.00), and those with higher free testosterone had a 15% reduced risk (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.70–1.00). Moreover, higher free testosterone was linked to a 15% lower incidence of chronic knee pain (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.71–0.98) among women. These protective associations were not observed in men.
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