Circulating Essential Trace Element and Mineral Levels in Female Patients with Knee or Concomitant Knee and Hip Osteoarthritis

The objective of the present study was to evaluate serum trace element and mineral levels in female patients with knee osteoarthritis (kOA) and concomitant knee and hip osteoarthritis (khOA). The study enrolled 61 healthy women without OA or any other pathology of joints (OA-free group), 180 subjects with bilateral kOA, and 99 patients with khOA. Age, anthropometric parameters, and the prevalence of concomitant diseases were registered. Serum trace element and mineral levels were assessed using inductively-coupled plasma mass-spectrometry. The obtained data demonstrate that patients with kOA and especially khOA are characterized by higher age, body mass index, and the prevalence of hypertension and certain other comorbidities. Serum analysis demonstrated that Zn and Fe levels in kOA and khOA patients were lower than those in OA-free patients by 7% and 9%, and 14% and 18%, respectively. In turn, circulating Se concentrations in patients with kOA and khOA were 9% and 7% lower compared to OA-free group values. Serum Cu and Mo levels in khOA patients exceeded the respective values in kOA subjects. Factorial analysis demonstrated that OA case status had a significant impact on serum Ca, Cr, Fe, Mn, Se, V, and Zn. At the same time, multiple regression analysis revealed a significant association with OA only for serum Zn, Se, V after adjustment for age, BMI, and the prevalence of concomitant diseases. Therefore, the obtained data indicate that involvement of multiple joints in OA patients is associated with more severe alterations in trace element levels. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.