Exploring how alcohol consumption affects the risk of knee osteoarthritis
Official title: Metabolomic Signatures of Alcohol Consumption and Risk of Knee Osteoarthritis
Funded at University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt · NIH-11036509 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how drinking alcohol might affect the chances of getting knee osteoarthritis, a condition that causes joint pain, and it’s for people who want to understand how their drinking habits could relate to their knee health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Farmington, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $221,866 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AR085243-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11036509 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who consume alcohol and are at risk for or currently experiencing knee osteoarthritis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not consume alcohol or those with knee osteoarthritis unrelated to lifestyle factors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between alcohol consumption and the risk of developing knee osteoarthritis (OA), a common joint disease that causes chronic pain and disability. By utilizing metabolomics, the study aims to identify specific biomarkers that accurately reflect long-term alcohol intake, which may provide a clearer understanding of its impact on knee OA. Participants will be assessed for their alcohol consumption patterns and how these correlate with the development of OA over time. The goal is to improve the accuracy of alcohol exposure measurements and enhance our understanding of lifestyle factors contributing to knee OA.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better prevention strategies and management approaches for knee osteoarthritis related to alcohol consumption.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown associations between alcohol consumption and knee osteoarthritis, but this research aims to provide more precise measurements through novel metabolomic approaches.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt
Farmington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lu, Bing — University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt
- Study coordinator: Lu, Bing
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.