Association between serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels and osteoarthritis in adults from NHANES 2015 to 2018

To explore the association between serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (HSCRP) levels and osteoarthritis (OA) in adults, providing new evidence for the diagnosis of adult OA. We selected data from the 2015-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and conducted a cross-sectional study. Serum HSCRP levels were extracted from laboratory data, and OA patients were identified through questionnaire responses. Participants under the age of 20 and those with incomplete data were excluded. We used multivariable logistic regression models, restricted cubic spline (RCS) functions, and stratified analyses to study the association between serum HSCRP levels and osteoarthritis in adults. After screening, a total of 9,948 participants were included, among whom 1,196 were osteoarthritis patients, representing a prevalence rate of 12.02%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis, along with three adjusted models, showed a positive correlation between serum HSCRP levels and the occurrence of osteoarthritis in adults. Compared to the lowest HSCRP quartile, the highest quartile showed a 1.86-fold higher prevalence of OA (95% confidence interval: 1.55 ~ 2.23, P < 0.001). The restricted cubic spline analysis showed a significant increase in OA incidence with rising serum HSCRP levels (P < 0.05). Subgroup and forest plot analyses indicated a positive correlation between HSCRP levels and osteoarthritis across different subgroups, such as age, gender, hypertension status, activity status, drinking status, and Smoke status (P < 0.05). There is a positive correlation between serum HSCRP levels and the occurrence of osteoarthritis in adults. When a patient's serum HSCRP level is elevated, the possibility of osteoarthritis should be considered.