Open AccessQuantitative magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of knee osteoarthritis progression over two years and correlation with clinical symptoms and radiologic changes
Author(s) -
Pierre Raynauld Jean,
MartelPelletier Johanne,
Berthiaume MarieJosée,
Labonté Françoys,
Beaudoin Gilles,
de Guise Jacques A.,
Bloch Daniel A.,
Choquette Denis,
Haraoui Boulos,
Altman Roy D.,
Hochberg Marc C.,
Meyer Joan M.,
Cline Gary A.,
Pelletier JeanPierre
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
arthritis & rheumatism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1529-0131
pISSN - 0004-3591
DOI - 10.1002/art.20000
Subject(s) - medicine , magnetic resonance imaging , cartilage , osteoarthritis , body mass index , radiography , knee joint , range of motion , knee pain , nuclear medicine , surgery , radiology , pathology , anatomy , alternative medicine
Objective To evaluate the change in osteoarthritic (OA) knee cartilage volume over a two‐year period with the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to correlate the MRI changes with radiologic changes. Methods Thirty‐two patients with symptomatic knee OA underwent MRI of the knee at baseline and at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Loss of cartilage volumes were computed and contrasted with changes in clinical variables for OA and with standardized semiflexed knee radiographs at baseline at 1 and 2 years. Results Progression of cartilage loss at all followup points was statistically significant ( P < 0.0001), with a mean ± SD of 3.8 ± 5.1% for global cartilage loss and 4.3 ± 6.5% for medial compartment cartilage loss at 6 months, 3.6 ± 5.1% and 4.2 ± 7.5% at 12 months, and 6.1 ± 7.2% and 7.6 ± 8.6% at 24 months. Discriminant function analysis identified 2 groups of patients, those who progressed slowly (<2% of global cartilage loss; n = 21) and those who progressed rapidly (>15% of global cartilage loss; n = 11) over the 2 years of study. At baseline, there was a greater proportion of women ( P = 0.001), a lower range of motion ( P = 0.01), a greater circumference and higher level of pain ( P = 0.05) and stiffness in the study knee, and a higher body mass index in the fast progressor group compared with the slow progressor group. No statistical correlation between loss of cartilage volume and radiographic changes was seen. Conclusion Quantitative MRI can measure the progression of knee OA precisely and can help to identify patients with rapidly progressing disease. These findings indicate that MRI could be helpful in assessing the effects of treatment with structure‐modifying agents in OA.