Obesity and adiposity are associated with the rate of patella cartilage volume loss over 2 years in adults without knee osteoarthritis

Teichtahl AJW, A. E.; Wang, Y.; Hanna, F.; English, D. R.; Giles, G. G.; Cicuttini, F. M. (2009) Obesity and adiposity are associated with the rate of patella cartilage volume loss over 2 years in adults without knee osteoarthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 68:909-913

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether measures of obesity and adiposity are associated with the rate of patella cartilage volume loss in healthy adults. METHODS: 297 community-based adults aged 50-79 years with no clinical knee osteoarthritis were recruited at baseline (2003-4). 271 (62% female) subjects were re-examined at follow-up (2006-7). Measures of obesity (body mass index (BMI) and weight) and adiposity (fat mass and percentage fat mass), as well as patella cartilage volume, were determined by established protocols. RESULTS: Patella cartilage volume was lost at an annual rate of 1.8% (95% CI 1.4% to 2.1%). Increased baseline BMI, weight, fat mass and percentage fat mass were all associated with an increased rate of patella cartilage volume loss after adjustment for confounders (all p< or="0.04)." the="" direction="" and="" magnitude="" of="" the="" effects="" were="" similar="" for="" both="" sexes="" but="" the="" number="" of="" men="" examined="" was="" considerably="" smaller="" and="" the="" associations="" were="" not="" statistically="" significant.="" there="" were="" no="" significant="" associations="" observed="" between="" change="" in="" any="" of="" the="" obesity="" and="" adiposity="" measures="" and="" the="" rate="" of="" patella="" cartilage="" volume="" loss.="" conclusion:="" this="" study="" demonstrated="" that="" increased="" levels="" of="" obesity="" and="" adiposity="" are="" associated="" with="" an="" increased="" annual="" rate="" of="" patella="" cartilage="" volume="" loss="" in="" healthy="" adults.="" weight-loss="" interventions="" that="" reduce="" body="" mass,="" or="" specifically="" target="" a="" reduction="" in="" fat="" mass,="" may="" help="" to="" reduce="" the="" rate="" at="" which="" patella="" cartilage="" volume="" is="" lost,="" and="" subsequently="" the="" risk="" of="" patellofemoral="">