Visceral adiposity measured by Body Roundness Index linked to higher all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in osteoarthritis: Results from NHANES 1999 to 2018.

BRI showed a J-shaped nonlinear association with all-cause mortality in OA patients, with a threshold at 4.40.

• Study included 4540 OA patients from NHANES 1999-2018
• Median follow-up was 7.5 years, during which 1156 all-cause deaths were recorded
• Beyond the threshold of 4.40, every unit increase in BRI correlated with a 27% higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.15-1.39)
• Restricted cubic spline and piecewise regression analyses were used to assess the nonlinear relationship

BRI showed a linear association with cardiovascular mortality in OA patients.

• 323 cardiovascular deaths were recorded over the median follow-up of 7.5 years
• Each unit increase in BRI was associated with a 33% higher risk of cardiovascular mortality (HR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.14-1.57)
• The linear association was distinct from the J-shaped pattern observed for all-cause mortality
• Association was evaluated using multivariate Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for demographics, lifestyle, comorbidities, and medications

Stratified analyses revealed stronger associations between BRI and mortality in specific subgroups.

• Stronger associations were observed in males, non-Hispanic Whites, and alcohol users
• Interaction P-values were less than .05 for these subgroups
• These subgroup differences were identified through stratified analyses

BRI was calculated using standardized height and waist circumference measurements in a prospective analysis of NHANES participants with OA.

• Data were drawn from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey spanning 1999 to 2018
• The study population consisted of 4540 OA patients
• Covariates adjusted for included demographics, lifestyle factors, comorbidities, and medications
• BRI is described as a measure of visceral adiposity

Osteoarthritis is associated with heightened physical disability and cardiovascular risks, and adiposity metrics are linked to adverse outcomes in this population.

• OA is described as a prevalent musculoskeletal condition
• The impact of BRI specifically on mortality in OA patients had not been previously explored prior to this study
• The study was motivated by the known links between adiposity metrics and adverse outcomes in OA