Creation and assessment of a Uric Acid-Inflammation-Metabolism score for predicting the likelihood of osteoarthritis: findings from NHANES 2007–2018 and a validation cohort from China

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The Uric Acid-Inflammation-Metabolism (UIM) score effectively predicts osteoarthritis (OA) risk by integrating uric acid metabolism, inflammation, and metabolic disturbance.
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Participants in the highest UIM score quartile had a 2.63-fold increased risk of OA compared to those in the lowest quartile, indicating significant risk stratification.
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The UIM score demonstrated good discrimination (AUC = 0.707) and outperformed individual biomarkers and traditional models in predicting OA risk.
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The uric acid dimension contributed the most to the UIM score, highlighting its primary role in OA pathogenesis compared to inflammation and metabolic factors.
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The UIM score's robustness and generalizability were confirmed through external validation, making it a practical tool for OA prevalence assessment.

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