Association Between Dietary Intake of Antioxidants and Prevalence of Femoral Head Cartilage Defects and Bone Marrow Lesions in Community-based Adults

Wang Y, Smith S, Teichtahl AJ, Hodge AM, Wluka AE, Giles GG, Cicuttini FM · The Journal of Rheumatology

One of very few studies to put vegetables against a cartilage structure rather than a pain score. Higher vegetable consumption was associated with fewer femoral head cartilage defects (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.46-0.91) and fewer bone marrow lesions (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.37-0.97). By nutrient: vitamin E (OR 0.63), lutein/zeaxanthin (OR 0.58) and lycopene (OR 0.64) tracked with fewer cartilage defects; α-carotene (OR 0.42), β-carotene (OR 0.31) and lutein/zeaxanthin (OR 0.42) with fewer bone marrow lesions.

Population

Community-based adults without diagnosed hip osteoarthritis, hip MRI in 2009-2010, diet recorded by food-frequency questionnaire in 1990-1994

Intervention

Higher dietary antioxidant and vegetable intake

Comparator

Lower intake

Limitations

Cross-sectional MRI outcome with diet measured 15-20 years earlier, n=214, and no adjustment can separate vegetable intake from the rest of a health-conscious life. Prevalence, not incidence or progression.