Table 2

Relationship between vitamin C and vitamin E intake and knee structures


Univariate analysis
Multivariate analysis



Regression coefficient (odds ratio (95% confidence interval))
P value
Regression coefficient (odds ratio (95% confidence interval))
P value

Vitamin C




     Cartilage volumea
-41.9 (-173.2 to 89.4)
0.53
-60.8 (-147.9 to 26.3)
0.17
     Cartilage defectsb
1.03 (0.81–1.31)
0.82
1.02 (0.76–1.36)
0.90
     Bone areac
-9.3 (-65.1 to 46.5)
0.74
-35.5 (-68.8 to -2.3)
0.04
     Bone marrow lesionsd
0.63 (0.40–0.99)
0.05
0.50 (0.29–0.87)
0.01
Vitamin E




     Cartilage volume
186.5 (58.4–314.5)
0.004
57.3 (-37.8 to 152.4)
0.24
     Cartilage defects
0.96 (0.76–1.22)
0.74
1.00 (0.72–1.33)
0.89
     Bone area
73.8 (19.3–128.2)
0.01
27.0 (-9.6 to 63.6)
0.15
     Bone marrow lesions
1.10 (0.80–1.50)
0.56
1.10 (0.73–1.66)
0.66

aChange in tibial cartilage volume (mm3) per standard-deviation increase in vitamin C/vitamin E intake before and after adjusting for energy intake, age, gender, body mass index, and tibial plateau bone area.

bOdds ratio of tibiofemoral cartilage defects being present per standard-deviation increase in vitamin C/vitamin E intake before and after adjusting for energy intake, age, gender, body mass index, and tibial cartilage volume.

cChange in tibial plateau bone area (mm2) per standard-deviation increase in vitamin C/vitamin E intake before and after adjusting for energy intake, age, gender, and body mass index.

dOdds ratio of tibiofemoral bone marrow lesions being present per standard-deviation increase in vitamin C/vitamin E intake before and after adjusting for energy intake, age, gender, and body mass index.

Wang et al. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2007 9:R66   doi:10.1186/ar2225