NEW evidence has linked a higher vitamin K intake with fewer knee symptoms in patients with osteoarthritis (OA).
This study took place over a period of 24 months, and was aimed at examining the associations between vitamin K intake with symptoms and structural changes shown on an MRI in patients with osteoarthritis. To do so, the authors analysed data from 212 patients aged 50–79 who had been displaying symptoms for at least 6 months prior to the start of the study. At every check-up for the whole duration of this analysis, the patients were required to fill in a questionnaire investigating their knee pain, as well as a survey on their physical and dietary routines. Subsequently, their symptoms were compared against the Western Ontario McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), visual analogue scores were evaluated, and MRI scans were taken to assess any structural changes, including bone marrow lesions, effusion-synovitis volumes, and any possible cartilage defects.
At the end of the 2-year study, the authors found that the higher the vitamin K intake, the lower the WOMAC score was for patients. Furthermore, those patients who presented with intense visual analogue score-measured pain also saw significant improvements in knee symptoms when they incorporated higher vitamin K levels into their diet. The researchers noted that no remarkable changes were seen in terms of structural changes evaluated through MRI scans.
Commenting on the outcome of the study, Zetao Liao, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China, stated: “The association of higher baseline vitamin K intake with decreased knee symptoms over 24 months in patients with knee OA in our study suggests that clinical trials examining the effect of vitamin K supplementation for knee OA symptoms are warranted.” Liao concluded remarking on the need for further research: “Whether there is an effect on knee structure is unclear and requires further investigation.”
