Summary of subgroup and sensitivity analyses of difference in hs-CRP between OA and non-OA
| Outcomes | Number of studies (no. participants) | Mean difference (mg/L) | 95% CI | p Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joints of OA | ||||
| Knee | 8 (2922) | 1.15 | 0.18 to 2.12 | 0.02* |
| Hip | 3 (196) | 3.37 | 0.60 to 6.13 | 0.02* |
| Hand | 1 (81) | 0.58 | −0.00 to 1.16 | 0.05 |
| Not specified | 5 (2343) | 1.51 | 0.49 to 2.53 | <0.01* |
| Diagnosis of OA | ||||
| Clinical OA | 10 (2316) | 1.07 | 0.47 to 1.66 | <0.01* |
| Radiographic OA | 5 (3167) | 1.76 | −0.04 to 3.57 | 0.05* |
| Measuring techniques | ||||
| ELISA | 6 (1251) | 1.74 | 0.80 to 2.67 | <0.001* |
| Nephelometry | 8 (2677) | 0.60 | −0.01 to 1.21 | 0.06 |
| Study size | ||||
| N≥100 | 8 (4968)† | 0.70 | 0.16 to 1.25 | 0.01* |
| N<100 | 8 (515)† | 2.43 | 1.02 to 3.83 | <0.01* |
| BMI controlled/adjusted | ||||
| Yes | 9 (4848) | 1.25 | 0.63 to 1.88 | <0.01* |
| No | 6 (635) | 1.21 | −0.38 to 2.79 | 0.13 |
| Study design | ||||
| Cross-section | 8 (820) | 1.82 | 0.48 to 3.15 | <0.01* |
| Case-control | 7 (4663) | 0.91 | 0.32 to 1.73 | <0.01* |
*Indicates statistical significance.
†Comparative analyses from one study (Chen 200836) are grouped separately according to their sample size.
BMI, body mass index; hs-CRP: high sensitivity c reactive protein; OA: osteoarthritis.