Low-dose aspirin is widely used as a preventive medication for cardiovascular diseases. However, there is controversy regarding the impact of low-dose aspirin on articular cartilage. The aim of this study is to explore the association between low-dose aspirin intake and osteoarthritis (OA).
We conducted a cross-sectional study based on the United States population data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2018. The investigation of low-dose aspirin intake and the diagnosis of OA was based on self-reporting in questionnaires. Multivariate regression models was used to assess the relationship between low-dose aspirin intake and OA. In addition, subgroup and interaction analysis were performed to assess the robustness of the results.
A total of 12,215 participants were included in this study. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that low-dose aspirin use had significantly increased the odds of OA (OR = 1.14; 95% CI: 1.01–1.28;
Our study confirmed that low-dose aspirin intake may increase the risk of OA. Attention should be paid to the possibility of joint degenerative changes in patients who take low-dose aspirin chronically. However, further studies are needed to explore the possible mechanisms behind this association.