Exploring the differences between radiographic joint space width and MRI cartilage thickness changes using data from the IMI-APPROACH cohort

Mylène P. Jansen*, Frank W. Roemer, Anne Karien C.A. Marijnissen, Margreet Kloppenburg, Francisco J. Blanco, Ida K. Haugen, Francis Berenbaum, Floris P.J.G. Lafeber, Paco M.J. Welsing, Simon C. Mastbergen, Wolfgang Wirth

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Objective: Longitudinal weight-bearing radiographic joint space width (JSW) and non-weight-bearing MRI-based cartilage thickness changes often show weak correlations. The current objective was to investigate these correlations, and to explore the influence of different factors that could contribute to longitudinal differences between the two methods. Methods: The current study included 178 participants with medial osteoarthritis (OA) out of the 297 knee OA participants enrolled in the IMI-APPROACH cohort. Changes over 2 years in medial JSW (ΔJSWmed), minimum JSW (ΔJSWmin), and medial femorotibial cartilage thickness (ΔMFTC) were assessed using linear regression, using measurements from radiographs and MRI acquired at baseline, 6 months, and 1 and 2 years. Pearson R correlations were calculated. The influence of cartilage quality (T2 mapping), meniscal extrusion (MOAKS scoring), potential pain-induced unloading (difference in knee-specific pain scores), and increased loading (BMI) on the correlations was analyzed by dividing participants in groups based on each factor separately, and comparing correlations (slope and strength) between groups using linear regression models. Result: Correlations between ΔMFTC and ΔJSWmed and ΔJSWmin were statistically significant (p < 0.004) but weak (R < 0.35). Correlations were significantly different between groups based on cartilage quality and on meniscal extrusion: only patients with the lowest T2 values and with meniscal extrusion showed significant moderate correlations. Pain-induced unloading or BMI-induced loading did not influence correlations. Conclusions: While the amount of loading does not seem to make a difference, weight-bearing radiographic JSW changes are a better reflection of non-weight-bearing MRI cartilage thickness changes in knees with higher quality cartilage and with meniscal extrusion.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1339-1348
Number of pages10
JournalSkeletal Radiology
Volume52
Issue number7
Early online date6 Jan 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2023

Keywords

  • Cartilage thickness
  • JSW
  • Meniscus
  • MRI
  • T2 mapping
  • Weight-bearing

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