Open AccessFactors associated with hip cartilage volume measured by magnetic resonance imaging: The Tasmanian Older Adult Cohort Study
Author(s) -
Zhai Guangju,
Cicuttini Flavia,
Srikanth Velandai,
Cooley Helen,
Ding Changhai,
Jones Graeme
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
arthritis & rheumatism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1529-0131
pISSN - 0004-3591
DOI - 10.1002/art.20964
Subject(s) - medicine , cartilage , femoral head , magnetic resonance imaging , osteoarthritis , body mass index , radiography , anthropometry , sagittal plane , cohort , nuclear medicine , orthodontics , radiology , anatomy , pathology , alternative medicine
Abstract Objective To compare associations between anthropometric and lifestyle factors and femoral head cartilage volume/thickness and radiographic features of osteoarthritis (OA) and to provide evidence of construct validity for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment of femoral cartilage volume and thickness. Methods We studied a cross‐sectional sample of 151 randomly selected subjects (79 men, 72 women; mean age 63 years) from the Tasmanian Older Adult Cohort Study. A sagittal T1‐weighted fat‐suppression MRI scan of the right hip was performed to determine femoral head cartilage volume, cartilage thickness, and size. An anteroposterior radiograph of the pelvis with weight bearing was performed and scored for radiographic evidence of OA in the right hip. Other factors measured were height, weight, leg strength, serum vitamin D levels, and bone mineral density. Results Hip cartilage volume was significantly associated with female sex, body mass index, and femoral head size, whereas hip cartilage thickness was significantly associated only with the size of the femoral head. Only female sex was significantly associated with the total radiographic OA score and the joint space narrowing (JSN) score, but not the osteophyte score. Radiographic JSN of the hip, especially axial JSN (but not osteophytes), was significantly correlated with hip cartilage volume and thickness. Conclusion Femoral head cartilage volume and thickness have modest but significant construct validity when correlated with radiographic findings. Furthermore, the generally stronger associations with volume compared with radiographic OA suggest that MRI may be superior at identifying risk factors for hip OA.