Radiologic features poorly predict clinical outcomes in knee osteoarthritis.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact of radiographic severity and progression on pain and disability.


METHODS
Measurements of mean joint space width (JSW), narrowest join space (NJS) point and assessment of symptoms by the WOMAC questionnaire were performed at baseline and after three years in 212 subjects over 50 years with primary knee OA.


RESULTS
At baseline, JSW and NJS were not significantly correlated with the scores recorded for the WOMAC global index or its pain, stiffness or function subscales. A statistically significant correlation was observed between the joint space narrowing over three years and the changes observed in the pain subscale of the WOMAC during the same period. The three-year changes in the global WOMAC index in patients within the lowest and the highest quartiles of mean joint space width at baseline showed, in both cases, a statistically (p<0.05) significant favorable difference between patients treated with glucosamine sulphate and those having received placebo.


CONCLUSIONS
Radiographic and clinical progressions of the disease are significantly associated but the clinical relevance of the association is questionable.
Bruyere
Olivier
O
WHO Collaborating Center for Public Health Aspect of Osteoarticular Disorders, Liege, Belgium.
Honore
Aline
A
Rovati
Lucio C
LC
Giacovelli
Giampaolo
G
Henrotin
Yves E
YE
Seidel
Laurence
L
Reginster
Jean-Yves L
JY
D000368:Aged; D001175:Arthrography / Q000379:methods*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D018450:Disease Progression; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005944:Glucosamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005944:Glucosamine