The relationship between body composition and structural changes at the knee
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 03:11authored byBerry, PA, Wluka, AE, Davies-Tuck, ML, Wang, Y, Strauss, BJ, Dixon, JB, Proietto, J, Graeme JonesGraeme Jones, Cicuttini, FM
Objective. Obesity is an important risk factor for knee OA. Evidence suggests that fat and muscle have differential effects on the pathogenesis of disease. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between body composition and knee structure, including knee cartilage volume, defects and bone marrow lesions (BMLs). Methods. A total of 153 subjects aged 25 60 years, 81% females, were recruited across a range of BMI(18 55 kg/m2) for a study examining the relationship between obesity and musculoskeletal disease. MRI was performed of the dominant knee. Cartilage volume, defects and BMLs were measured using validated methods. Body composition was measured using dual X-ray absorptiometry. Results. There was an 81 (95% CI: 69, 94) mm3 increase in cartilage volume for every 1 kg increase in skeletal muscle mass. Fat mass was not significantly associated with cartilage volume. Fat mass, but not skeletal muscle mass, was a risk factor for cartilage defects and BMLs. For every 1 kg increase in total body fat there was an increased risk of cartilage defects (OR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.64) and BMLs (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.18). Conclusions. In this relatively healthy population, fat mass was associated with increased cartilage defects and BMLs, which are features of early knee OA. In contrast, skeletal muscle mass was positively associated with cartilage volume, which may be due to coinheritance, a commonality of environmental factors associated with cartilage accrual or a protective effect of increased muscle.
History
Publication title
Rheumatology
Volume
49
Issue
12
Pagination
2362-2369
ISSN
1462-0324
Department/School
Menzies Institute for Medical Research
Publisher
Oxford Univ Press
Place of publication
Great Clarendon St, Oxford, England, Ox2 6Dp
Rights statement
The definitive publisher-authenticated version is available online at: http://www.oxfordjournals.org/