Heterogeneity of cartilage damage in Kellgren and Lawrence grade 2 and 3 knees: the MOST study

Roemer FW, Felson DT, Stefanik JJ, Rabasa G, Wang N, Crema MD, Neogi T, Nevitt MC, Torner J, Lewis CE, Peloquin C, Guermazi A (2022)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Journal

Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Elsevier

DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2022.02.614

Abstract

Objective: Eligibility for clinical trials in osteoarthritis (OA) is usually limited to Kellgren–Lawrence (KL) grades 2 and 3 knees. Our aim was to describe the prevalence and severity of cartilage damage in KL 2 and 3 knees by compartment and articular subregion. Design: The Multicenter Osteoarthritis (MOST) study is a cohort study of individuals with or at risk for knee OA. All baseline MRIs with radiographic disease severity KL2 and 3 were included. Knee MRIs were read for cartilage damage in 14 subregions. We determined the frequencies of no, any and widespread full-thickness cartilage damage by knee compartment, and the prevalence of any cartilage damage in 14 articular subregions. Results: 665 knees from 665 participants were included (mean age 63.8 ± 7.9 years, 66.5% women). 372 knees were KL2 and 293 knees were KL3. There was no cartilage damage in 78 (21.0%) medial tibio-femoral joint (TFJ), 157 (42.2%) lateral TFJ and 62 (16.7%) patello-femoral joint (PFJ) compartments of KL2 knees, and 17 (5.8%), 115 (39.3%) and 35 (12.0%) compartments, respectively, of KL3 knees. There was widespread full-thickness damage in 94 (25.3%) medial TFJ, 36 (9.7%) lateral TFJ and 176 (47.3%) PFJ compartments of KL2 knees, and 217 (74.1%), 70 (23.9%) and 104 (35.5%) compartments, respectively, of KL3 knees. The subregions most likely to have any damage were central medial femur (80.5%), medial patella (69.8%) and central medial tibia (69.9). Conclusions: KL2 and KL3 knees vary greatly in cartilage morphology. Heterogeneity in the prevalence, severity and location of cartilage damage in in KL2 and 3 knees should be considered when planning disease modifying trials for knee OA.

Involved external institutions

Boston Medical Center (BMC) US United States (USA) (US) Northeastern University US United States (USA) (US) University of California San Francisco (UCSF) US United States (USA) (US) University of Iowa US United States (USA) (US) University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) US United States (USA) (US)

How to cite

APA:

Roemer, F.W., Felson, D.T., Stefanik, J.J., Rabasa, G., Wang, N., Crema, M.D.,... Guermazi, A. (2022). Heterogeneity of cartilage damage in Kellgren and Lawrence grade 2 and 3 knees: the MOST study. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2022.02.614

MLA:

Roemer, F. W., et al. "Heterogeneity of cartilage damage in Kellgren and Lawrence grade 2 and 3 knees: the MOST study." Osteoarthritis and Cartilage (2022).

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