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The association between change in bone marrow lesion size and change in tibiofemoral cartilage volume and knee symptoms

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-20, 19:43 authored by Guoqi CaiGuoqi Cai, Dawn AitkenDawn Aitken, Laura LaslettLaura Laslett, Hill, C, Wluka, AE, March, L, Cicuttini, F, Pelletier, J-P, Martel-Pelletier, J, Graeme JonesGraeme Jones
Objective: To describe the association between change in subchondral bone marrow lesions (BMLs) and change in tibiofemoral cartilage volume and knee symptoms in patients with symptomatic knee OA.

Methods: In total, 251 participants (mean 61.7 years, 51% female) were included. Tibiofemoral cartilage volume was measured at baseline and 24 months, and BML size at baseline, 6 and 24 months. Knee pain and function scores were evaluated at baseline, 6 and 24 months. Change in total and compartment-specific BML size was categorized according to the Least Significance Criterion. Linear mixed-effects models were used to evaluate the associations of change in BMLs over 6 and 24 months with change in cartilage volume over 24 months and knee symptoms over 6 and 24 months.

Results: Total BML size enlarged in 26% of participants, regressed in 31% and remained stable in 43% over 24 months. Compared with stable BMLs in the same compartment, enlarging BMLs over 24 months were associated with greater cartilage loss (difference: -53.0mm3, 95% CI: -100.0, -6.0), and regressing BMLs were not significantly associated with reduced cartilage loss (difference: 32.4mm3, 95% CI: -8.6, 73.3) over 24 months. Neither enlargement nor regression of total BML size over 6 and 24 months was associated with change in knee pain and function over the same time intervals.

Conclusions: In subjects with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis and BMLs, enlarging BMLs may lead to greater cartilage loss but regressing lesions are not associated with reduced cartilage loss while neither is associated with change in knee symptoms.

History

Publication title

Rheumatology

Issue

November

Pagination

1-10

ISSN

1462-0324

Department/School

Menzies Institute for Medical Research

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Place of publication

United Kingdom

Rights statement

Copyright 2020 The Authors

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Diagnosis of human diseases and conditions

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