The Longitudinal Relationship Between Body Composition and Patella Cartilage in Healthy Adults

Abstract

background: Although obesity is a risk factor for patellofemoral osteoarthritis (OA), it is unclear whether the components of body composition, such as muscle and fat mass, are major determinants of articular cartilage properties at the patella. objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether anthropometric and body composition measures, assessed over 10 years, were related to articular patella cartilage volume and defects in healthy adults with no clinical knee OA. Methods and Procedures: Two hundred and ninety-seven healthy, community-based adults aged 50-79 years with no clinical history of knee OA were recruited. Anthropometric and body composition (fat-free mass and fat mass) data were measured at baseline (1990)(1991)(1992)(1993)(1994) and follow-up (2003-2004). Patella cartilage volume and defects were assessed at follow-up (2003)(2004) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results: After adjustment for potential confounders, increased measures of obesity (weight, BMI, waist circumference, and fat mass) at baseline and follow-up were associated with an increased risk for the presence of patella cartilage defects at follow-up for both men and women (all P ≤ 0.03). Increased baseline values for these variables tended to be associated with reduced patella cartilage volume at follow-up for women (all P ≤ 0.11), but not men (all P ≤ 0.87). Discussion: We have demonstrated that increased anthropometric measures of obesity, as well as fat mass, are associated with an increased risk for the presence of patella cartilage defects in both men and women. Women, but not men, with greater baseline body mass, particularly adipose-derived mass, appear to have an associated reduction in their patella cartilage volume. Interventions targeting a reduction in adipose tissue may help reduce the risk for the onset and progression of patellofemoral OA, particularly in women.

Knee joint anterior malalignment and patellofemoral osteoarthritis: an MRI study

“…Most studies examined obesity in the context of an increased BMI, without any distinction between adipose and non-adipose body mass [45][46][47][48][49][50]. Considering the above, we utilized FT as an indirect body fat content index.…”

Gender Differences in the Activity and Ratio of Vastus Medialis Oblique and Vastus Lateralis Muscles during Drop Landing

“…There are many theories on t h e e t i o l o g y o f t h e g r e a t e r i n c i d e n c e o f patellofemoral injuries in females 21) . Teichtahl et al 22) reported that increased anthropometric measures of obesity, as well as fat mass, are associated with increased risk of patellofemoral injury for both males and females; particularly females, who have greater baseline body mass, and appear to have an increased risk for the onset and progression of patellofemoral injury 22) .…”

How do Different Sporting Activities Affect Bone Patella Volume?: A Descriptive Pilot Study

“…Patella cartilage volumes and defects were investigated using magnetic resonance images (Hanna et al, 2006;Kessler et al, 2006;Hanna et al, 2007;Teichtahl et al, 2008;Wijayaratne et al). Computed tomography is an effective diagnostic modality for 2D multiplanar images of bone structures, including their defects.…”