Plasma pentosidine concentration is associated with ligament ossification and high‐grade osteoarthritis: The ROAD study

Aim No studies have examined the association between plasma pentosidine levels and ossification diseases in large cohorts of Japanese residents. This study aimed to investigate the association between cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) and other ossification diseases, including diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, lumbar spondylosis and knee osteoarthritis (OA), by examining plain radiographs of the knee, and cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine from 1690 participants, and the association between these diseases and plasma pentosidine. Design We enrolled 1690 participants (596 men and 1094 women) from mountainous and coastal areas from the study population of the previous Research on Osteoarthritis/Osteoporosis Against Disability study. X‐ray examination of the cervical/thoracic/lumbar spine and knee was carried out only in these individuals, and not those from urban areas. Plasma pentosidine concentrations were determined using enzyme‐linked immunoassays. Results Radiographic OPLL was detected in 30 (17 men, 13 women) of 1562 individuals who underwent X‐ray examination of the cervical spine. OPLL, diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, lumbar spondylosis Kellgren–Lawrence (KL) grade, and knee OA KL grade were associated with high plasma pentosidine concentrations (all P < 0.05). Furthermore, significant intragroup differences (KL grade 4 vs 3) of plasma pentosidine concentration were observed between the lumbar spondylosis and knee OA groups. The plasma pentosidine concentration was significantly associated with age, OPLL, lumbar spondylosis (KL grade 4) and knee OA (KL grade 4). Conclusions OPLL is significantly associated with other ossification diseases. The development of more severe OA might lead to the accumulation of plasma pentosidine. Plasma pentosidine levels were associated with OPLL and severe OA. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 154–160 .