The longitudinal relationship between body composition and patella cartilage in healthy adults.
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
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 (1990-1994) 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 < or = 0.03). Increased baseline values for these variables tended to be associated with reduced patella cartilage volume at follow-up for women (all P < or = 0.11), but not men (all P < or = 0.87).


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Teichtahl
Andrew J
AJ
Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Central and Eastern Clinical School, Alfred Hospital, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Wang
Yuanyuan
Y
Wluka
Anita E
AE
Szramka
Maxine
M
English
Dallas R
DR
Giles
Graham G
GG
O'Sullivan
Richard
R
Cicuttini
Flavia M
FM
D000368:Aged; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010329:Patella / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors