Cartilage defects are associated with physical disability in obese adults

Rheumatology, 08/21/09
Anandacoomarasamy A et al. – Study shows that knee cartilage defects increase with increasing obesity and are associated with both objective and self-reported measures of physical disability.
Methods

• Aim was to describe the associations between physical disability measures and knee cartilage defects in obese adults
• 111 obese subjects were recruited from laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding or exercise/diet weight loss programs
• All subjects completed disease-specific (WOMAC) and general health status (SF-36) questionnaires
• They were also assessed for range of knee motion, tibiofemoral alignment and quadriceps strength
• Knee cartilage defects were graded on MRI according to established protocol
• Regression analysis was adjusted for age, gender, BMI and presence of clinical knee OA

Results

• Association between higher whole compartment cartilage defect scores and increasing BMI, age and clinical knee OA was confirmed in this obese cohort
• Whereas new associations were found with reduced knee range of motion
• No associations were found between defect scores and quadriceps strength
• Varus malalignment was associated with higher medial cartilage defect scores
• Higher levels of pain, stiffness and physical disability were associated with higher medial compartment and patella cartilage defect scores