Qualitative and quantitative measures of prefemoral and quadriceps fat pads are associated with incident radiographic osteoarthritis: data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative

Abstract

Objective: To determine if qualitative and quantitative measures of prefemoral fat pad (PFP) and quadriceps fat pad (QFP) are associated with incident radiographic osteoarthritis (iROA) over 4 years in the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) study. Design: Participants in this nested caseecontrol study were selected from the OAI study with knees that had Kellgren Lawrence grades (KLG) of 0 or 1 at baseline. Case knees were defined by iROA (KLG 2) over 4 years. Control knees without iROA were matched 1:1 with case knees. Magnetic resonance images (MRIs) were read at P0 (time of onset of iROA), P-1 (1 year prior to P0) and baseline, and used to assess PFP (i.e., prefemoral hyperintensity alteration, patellofemoral hyperintensity alteration, maximum axial area) and QFP (i.e., hyperintensity alteration, mass effect, maximum axial area). Conditional logistic regression analyses were performed to study the associations between PFP/QFP measures and iROA, after adjustment for covariates. Results: 354 case knees with iROA were matched to 354 control knees. 66.9% of the participants were female, with an average age of 60.1 years. PFP prefemoral hyperintensity alteration measured at three time points (OR [95%CI]: 1.46 [1.18e1.82], 1.50 [1.20e1.88], 1.52 [1.22e1.89] respectively), PFP maximum axial area (OR [

Association between quadriceps fat pad edema and patellofemoral osteoarthritis: a quantitative Q-Dixon-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis

“…Hence, longitudinal studies are required to confirm the pathogenic significance of QFPE. Our findings showed a negative correlation between the FF of QFP and Hoffa’s synovitis, indicating that, as active joint tissues, QFP and IFP can modulate inflammatory and destructive responses in KOA ( 9 , 10 ). Owing to this biochemical effect, QFPE has better potential for reflecting KOA severity than IFPE without PF maltracking interference.…”

“…We found that cartilage defects, osteophytes, patellar BML, Hoffa’s synovitis, and articular effusion were associated with FF or/and T2* alterations in the QFP. Although their causal relationship remains unknown, QFPE has a secretion effect ( 10 ) and is unrelated to any PF maltracking parameter in most studies ( 39 , 42 ). QFPE may occur before or concurrently with patellar structural abnormalities.…”

“…Peripatellar fat pads, including the infrapatellar fat pad (IFP), quadriceps fat pad (QFP), and prefemoral fat pad, play important roles in biomechanics ( 8 ) and secretion action ( 9 ). Recurrent impingement, friction, trauma, or knee joint instability cause peripatellar fat pad edema, leading to alterations ( 10 ) in the biomechanical and biochemical mechanisms. As a result, cytokine and synovial fluid production are affected, potentially leading to KOA progression.…”

“…However, only a few studies have focused on the highly prevalent (12–14%) QFP edema (QFPE) ( 13 , 14 ). The QFP assessment parameters for investigating KOA include the mass effect, morphological measurements, and altered signal intensity ( 10 , 15 , 16 ). However, a direct and convenient method for quantitative QFP assessment, with improved objectivity and repeatability, is currently lacking.…”

Quadriceps strength is negatively associated with knee joint structural abnormalities—data from osteoarthritis initiative

“…Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is characterized by degradation of periarticular cartilage damage, subchondral bone marrow lesions (BMLs) and synovitis [1], affecting approximately 250 million individuals worldwide [2]. With an aging population coupled with rising obesity rates, there is an urgent need for effective therapy to modify the onset or progression of structural damage in KOA.…”