Low magnesium intake is associated with increased knee pain in subjects with radiographic knee osteoarthritis: data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative

Shmagel A, Onizuka N, Langsetmo L, Vo T, Foley R, Ensrud K, Valen P · Osteoarthritis and Cartilage

Shifts the magnesium association from the radiograph to the symptom: among people who already had radiographic knee OA, lower magnesium intake was associated with more knee pain and worse function.

Population

Osteoarthritis Initiative participants with radiographic knee osteoarthritis

Intervention

Higher dietary magnesium intake

Comparator

Lower intake

Limitations

Observational, with intake from a food-frequency questionnaire and pain self-reported. Magnesium intake correlates with body weight, activity and diet quality, each of which independently predicts knee pain.