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Association Between Lateral Meniscus, Tibia Cartilage May Help Predict Knee Osteoarthritis: Presented at OARSI
By Louise Gagnon
MONTREAL -- September 18, 2009 -- Cross-sectional research presented here at the 2009 World Congress of the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) has found an association between the lateral meniscus and tibia cartilage, suggesting the relationship may help predict the development of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee and the severity of existing OA of the knee.
Using data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative's public use dataset, Jeff Prescott, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, and colleagues examined links between meniscus volume and cartilage morphology in the right knee of 158 patients with OA, as seen through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results were presented on September 13.
They used statistical regression to analyse the relationships between the quadriceps cross-section area measures and cartilage measures, controlling for variables such as sex, age, and obesity (body mass index >=30).
"We found that when we looked at the lateral meniscus, we found there were associations mainly between the lateral meniscus and the lateral tibial cartilage," said Prescott. "There were some associations between the lateral meniscus volume and medial tibial cartilage. There were no associations between the meniscus and the femur cartilage."
There were statistically significant differences (P < .0001) on 3 cartilage measure variables, taking into account the anterior horn, posterior horn, and total meniscus.
"We have not conducted any longitudinal studies yet," said Prescott. "These are just cross-sectional studies. We do not know how the relationship moves in time. Further analysis will look at that." More data are being generated to permit additional analysis in the future, he added.
"The goal would be that a clinician would find volume measurements of the meniscus and use that in conjunction with other measures of the joint, on MRI, and that would allow for a prediction of whether the subject is at risk for osteoarthritis," he said, noting the relationship would be applied to assess severity of existing osteoarthritis.
[Presentation title: Relationship Between Meniscus Volume and Cartilage Morphology in MR Images of Osteoarthritis Patients. Abstract 031]
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