| Figures/Ta
blesFigures/Ta
bles | ReferencesReferences
Summary
Objective
The purpose of this study is to determine whether the mean and heterogeneity of magnetic resonance (MR) knee cartilage T
b>2b> relaxation time measurements at
baseline are associated with morphologic degeneration of cartilage, meniscus, and
bone marrow tissues over 3 years in su
bjects with risk factors for osteoarthritis (OA).
Design
Subjects with risk factors for OA (n = 289) with an age range of 45-55 years were selected from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) database. 3.0 Tesla MR images were analyzed using morphological gradings of cartilage, bone marrow and menisci whole-organ magnetic resonance imaging scores (WORMS scoring). A Tb>2b> mapping sequence was used to assess the mean and heterogeneity of cartilage Tb>2b> (gray level co-occurrence matrix texture analysis). Regression models were used to assess the relationship between baseline Tb>2b> parameters and changes in morphologic knee WORMS scores over 3 years.
Results
The prevalence of knee abnormalities in the cartilage (P < 0.0005), meniscus (P < 0.00001), and bone marrow significantly (P < 0.00001) increased from baseline to 3 years in all compartments combined. The baseline mean and heterogeneity of cartilage Tb>2b> were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with morphologic joint degeneration in the cartilage, meniscus and bone marrow over 3 years.
Conclusions
The prevalence of knee abnormalities significantly increased over 3 years; increased cartilage Tb>2b> at baseline predicted longitudinal morphologic degeneration in the cartilage, meniscus, and bone marrow over 3 years in subjects with risk factors for OA.