2 May 2025 • Atopic conditions such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis may predispose individuals to knee osteoarthritis (OA), according to a nationwide Korean cohort study.

Analysis of over 880,000 adults aged ≥50 revealed a 36% higher risk of knee OA in those with atopic disease (HR 1.36), with risk escalating for those with multiple conditions—44% for two conditions and 51% in those with all three.

The association was strongest in those aged 50-59 (HR 1.40), males (HR 1.41), and non-obese individuals (HR 1.39) compared to obese individuals (HR 1.31).

The study underscores the role of chronic inflammation in OA development, suggesting the need for targeted interventions to prevent knee OA in atopic patients.

Source: Science Reports | Read Full Story