The longitudinal relationship between body composition and patella cartilage in healthy adults

Teichtahl AJW, Y.; Wluka, A. E.; Szramka, M.; English, D. R.; Giles, G. G.; O'Sullivan, R.; Cicuttini, F. M. (2008) The longitudinal relationship between body composition and patella cartilage in healthy adults. Obesity (Silver Spring) 16:421-427

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 (1990-1994) 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)." 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="">