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Association between age and knee structural change: a cross sectional MRI based study

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posted on 2023-05-16, 17:16 authored by Chang-Hai DingChang-Hai Ding, Cicuttini, F, Fiona ScottFiona Scott, Cooley, HM, Graeme JonesGraeme Jones
Objective: To describe the associations between age, knee cartilage morphology, and bone size in adults. Methods: A cross sectional convenience sample of 372 male and female subjects (mean age 45 years, range 26-61) was studied. Knee measures included a cartilage defect five site score (0-4 respectively) and prevalence (defect score of ≥2 at any site), cartilage volume and thickness, and bone surface area and/or volume. These were determined at the patellar, medial, and lateral tibial and femoral sites using T 1 weighted fat saturation MRI. Height, weight, and radiographic osteoarthritis (ROA) were measured by standard protocols. Results: In multivariote analysis, age was significantly associated with knee cartilage defect scores (β = +0.016 to +0.073/year, all p<0.01) and prevalence (OR = 1.05-1.10/year, all p<0.05) in all compartments. Additionally, age was negatively associated with knee cartilage thickness at all sites (β = -0.013 to -0.035 mm/year, all p<0.05), and with patellar (β = -11.5 μ/year, p<0.01) but not tibial cartilage volume. Lastly, age was significantly positively associated with mediol and lateral tibial surface bone area (β = +3.0 to +4.7 mm2/year, all p<0.05) and potellar bone volume (β = +34.4 μl/year, p<0.05). Associations between age and tibiofemoral cartilage defect score, cartilage thickness, and bone size decreased in magnitude after adjustment for ROA, suggesting these changes are directly relevant to OA. Conclusion: The most consistent knee structural changes with increasing age are increase in cartilage defect severity and prevalence, cartilage thinning, and increase in bone size with inconsistent change in cartilage volume. Longitudinal studies ore needed to determine which of these changes are primary and confirm their relevance to knee OA.

History

Publication title

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases

Volume

64

Issue

4

Pagination

549-555

ISSN

0003-4967

Department/School

Menzies Institute for Medical Research

Publisher

BMJ Publishing Group

Place of publication

London, England

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Clinical health not elsewhere classified

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    University Of Tasmania

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