Serum levels of insulin in overweight patients with osteoarthritis of the knee

OBJECTIVE: Obesity is often associated with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and with chronic hyperinsulinemia. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between overweight patients and OA of the knee. METHODS: Forty-eight overweight outpatients (40 women and 8 men) were recruited into the study. They were separated into 2 groups: Group 1 patients with OA of the knee and Group 2 subjects without OA of the knee. Serum insulin levels were determined in all patients. RESULTS: Insulin levels were statistically higher in patients with OA (p < 0.01) compared to subjects without OA. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that insulin may play a role in the pathogenesis of OA of the knee in overweight patients.