Genetic variation near the GDF5 gene is associated with hip geometry

Hip geometric parameters are associated with radiographic and clinical hip osteoarthritis: findings from a cross-sectional study in UK Biobank

“…Previously, when assessed in isolation a study had shown associations with HOA similar to model 3 in this study i.e. without adjustment for other geometric parameters (6). These results highlight the importance of Hip geometry and its associations with hip osteoarthritis considering measures of hip morphology alongside each other when examining relationships with HOA, as well as body size.…”

“…We present unadjusted (model 1), and confounder adjusted analyses (partially adjusted = models 2, 3 and fully adjusted = model 4). Potential confounders were defined a priori, and Hip geometry and its associations with hip osteoarthritis these were included in partially adjusted models as covariates (model 2: adjusted for age and sex; model 3: model 2 plus height and weight to account for effects of body size with which geometric parameters are known to be strongly related) (6,(20)(21)(22). A final model also included mutual adjustment for other geometric parameters (fully adjusted/model 4).…”

“…It was not possible to calculate neck-shaft angle or femoral shaft width as the outline points did not extend distally below the lesser trochanter. That said, prior studies suggested that the three parameters which were included may have the greatest relevance for hip OA (6,7,23). Finally, although HSA is an established methodology for deriving hip geometry, we were keen to explore the role of DFH, which is not calculated by HSA.…”

“…Hip shape is known to vary greatly between the sexes with females having a larger neck shaft angle and smaller femoral head and neck (8,9). However, geometric parameters measuring femur size are intrinsically related to body size and each other (6). This has made understanding independent associations between geometric parameters and HOA difficult especially given previous studies have tended to examine aspects of shape in isolation without sex stratification (6,7).…”

“…However, geometric parameters measuring femur size are intrinsically related to body size and each other (6). This has made understanding independent associations between geometric parameters and HOA difficult especially given previous studies have tended to examine aspects of shape in isolation without sex stratification (6,7). Statistical Shape Modelling (SSM) has evolved as an alternative approach to quantifying hip morphology and captures the whole of the hip joint.…”