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Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research®

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01-04-2014 | Symposium: Thumb Carpometacarpal Arthritis

Relationship of Relaxin Hormone and Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Arthritis

Authors: Jennifer Moriatis Wolf, MD, Danielle L. Scher, MD, Eric W. Etchill, MPH, Frank Scott, MD, Allison E. Williams, PhD, Steven Delaronde, MPH, MSW, Karen B. King, PhD

Published in: Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research® | Issue 4/2014

Abstract

Background

The female predominance in thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint arthritis has led to speculation that reproductive hormones or hypermobility are responsible. Evidence shows that patients with pathologic laxity have a higher rate of thumb CMC arthritis. Relaxin hormone increases laxity in the pelvic ligaments through upregulation of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs). It is thus a hormone of interest in the development of thumb CMC arthritis.

Questions/purposes

Our goals were to identify demographic and hormonal factors associated with joint laxity in patients with CMC arthritis and to evaluate the relationship among serum relaxin, relaxin receptors, and MMPs in the anterior oblique ligament (AOL) of the thumb. We hypothesized that serum relaxin was correlated with joint laxity as well as with relaxin receptors and MMPs in the AOL.

Methods

Forty-nine patients undergoing thumb CMC arthroplasty underwent laxity examination, blood draw, and AOL sampling. Ligaments were analyzed for relaxin receptor and MMPs 1 and 3 using quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Women demonstrated more joint laxity than men (p < 0.001). RNA analysis confirmed relaxin receptors in the AOL as well as MMPs 1 and 3. There was a significant correlation between serum relaxin and MMP-1 (p = 0.04). Detectable serum relaxin was negatively correlated with relaxin receptors in the AOL (p = 0.02).

Conclusions

Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of laxity and sex hormones in thumb CMC arthritis.

Clinical Relevance

Relaxin hormone may play a role in the development of arthritis at the thumb CMC joint.

Level of Evidence

Level I, prognostic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

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Title: Relationship of Relaxin Hormone and Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Arthritis
Authors: Jennifer Moriatis Wolf, MD
Danielle L. Scher, MD
Eric W. Etchill, MPH
Frank Scott, MD
Allison E. Williams, PhD
Steven Delaronde, MPH, MSW
Karen B. King, PhD
Publication date: 01-04-2014
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research® / Issue 4/2014
Print ISSN: 0009-921X
Electronic ISSN: 1528-1132
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-013-2960-4

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Relationship of Relaxin Hormone and Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Arthritis

Abstract

Background

Questions/purposes

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Clinical Relevance

Level of Evidence

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Questions/purposes

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Clinical Relevance

Level of Evidence

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