C-reactive protein as a mediator in the link between cardiometabolic index and osteoarthritis: insights from NHANES 2001–2010

Abstract Background Evidence has noted associations of osteoarthritis (OA) with obesity and C-reactive protein (CRP). However, little is clarified about the link between cardiometabolic index (CMI) and OA and the mediating role of CRP. Methods Participants from NHANES 2001–2010 were enrolled. CMI wa...

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Main Authors: Yike Wang, Zeyu Liu, Haoyu Wu, Chunsheng Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:Lipids in Health and Disease
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12944-025-02603-9
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author Yike Wang
Zeyu Liu
Haoyu Wu
Chunsheng Wang
author_facet Yike Wang
Zeyu Liu
Haoyu Wu
Chunsheng Wang
author_sort Yike Wang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Evidence has noted associations of osteoarthritis (OA) with obesity and C-reactive protein (CRP). However, little is clarified about the link between cardiometabolic index (CMI) and OA and the mediating role of CRP. Methods Participants from NHANES 2001–2010 were enrolled. CMI was computed based on anthropometric and biochemical indexes, covering height, waist circumference, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. OA diagnosis data were derived from the Medical Conditions questionnaires. Multivariate logistic regressions, restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis, subgroup analyses, and interaction tests were implemented to investigate the association. A mediation analysis was employed to verify the mediating role of CRP. Results After controlling for all covariates, CMI was significantly linked with OA (OR: 1.07, 95% CI (1.01, 1.13), P = 0.038). RCS analyses elicited a non-linear link between CMI and OA (P − non − linear = 0.0012). The inflection point was 0.54. Threshold effect analysis was conducted through two-segment linear regression, including the left side ( < = 0.54) (OR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.03, 6.58) and the right side of the inflection point (> 0.54) (OR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.15, 1.03). CRP partially mediated the link between CMI and OA, around 7.59% of the total effect. Conclusion CMI is positively linked with OA, with CRP mediating the link. This paper unveils novel perspectives on the mechanism that links CMI to OA. Managing CMI and monitoring CRP levels may alleviate OA.
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spelling doaj-art-28f0bd8c118d4f3e96e79ec4ee81153a2025-08-20T03:46:29ZengBMCLipids in Health and Disease1476-511X2025-07-012411910.1186/s12944-025-02603-9C-reactive protein as a mediator in the link between cardiometabolic index and osteoarthritis: insights from NHANES 2001–2010Yike Wang0Zeyu Liu1Haoyu Wu2Chunsheng Wang3Departments of Bone and Joint Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong UniversityDepartments of Bone and Joint Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong UniversityDepartment of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong UniversityDepartments of Bone and Joint Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong UniversityAbstract Background Evidence has noted associations of osteoarthritis (OA) with obesity and C-reactive protein (CRP). However, little is clarified about the link between cardiometabolic index (CMI) and OA and the mediating role of CRP. Methods Participants from NHANES 2001–2010 were enrolled. CMI was computed based on anthropometric and biochemical indexes, covering height, waist circumference, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. OA diagnosis data were derived from the Medical Conditions questionnaires. Multivariate logistic regressions, restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis, subgroup analyses, and interaction tests were implemented to investigate the association. A mediation analysis was employed to verify the mediating role of CRP. Results After controlling for all covariates, CMI was significantly linked with OA (OR: 1.07, 95% CI (1.01, 1.13), P = 0.038). RCS analyses elicited a non-linear link between CMI and OA (P − non − linear = 0.0012). The inflection point was 0.54. Threshold effect analysis was conducted through two-segment linear regression, including the left side ( < = 0.54) (OR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.03, 6.58) and the right side of the inflection point (> 0.54) (OR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.15, 1.03). CRP partially mediated the link between CMI and OA, around 7.59% of the total effect. Conclusion CMI is positively linked with OA, with CRP mediating the link. This paper unveils novel perspectives on the mechanism that links CMI to OA. Managing CMI and monitoring CRP levels may alleviate OA.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12944-025-02603-9Cardiometabolic indexOsteoarthritisNational health and nutrition examination surveyC-reactive protein
spellingShingle Yike Wang
Zeyu Liu
Haoyu Wu
Chunsheng Wang
C-reactive protein as a mediator in the link between cardiometabolic index and osteoarthritis: insights from NHANES 2001–2010
Lipids in Health and Disease
Cardiometabolic index
Osteoarthritis
National health and nutrition examination survey
C-reactive protein
title C-reactive protein as a mediator in the link between cardiometabolic index and osteoarthritis: insights from NHANES 2001–2010
title_full C-reactive protein as a mediator in the link between cardiometabolic index and osteoarthritis: insights from NHANES 2001–2010
title_fullStr C-reactive protein as a mediator in the link between cardiometabolic index and osteoarthritis: insights from NHANES 2001–2010
title_full_unstemmed C-reactive protein as a mediator in the link between cardiometabolic index and osteoarthritis: insights from NHANES 2001–2010
title_short C-reactive protein as a mediator in the link between cardiometabolic index and osteoarthritis: insights from NHANES 2001–2010
title_sort c reactive protein as a mediator in the link between cardiometabolic index and osteoarthritis insights from nhanes 2001 2010
topic Cardiometabolic index
Osteoarthritis
National health and nutrition examination survey
C-reactive protein
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12944-025-02603-9
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