Synovial omentin and adiponectin showed statistically significant associations with osteophytes progression in KOIP-1 (FC = 1.73, p-value = 0.004; FC = 1.83, p-value = 0.005, respectively), which were of opposite direction in the KOIP-2 group (FC = − 1.26, p-value = 0.059; FC = − 1.27, p-value = 0.107, respectively). This evidence concerns the gene ADIPOQ and exostosis.