RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 THU0502 The Longitudinal Relationship Between Changes in Body Weight and Changes in Knee Cartilage and Pain Among Community-Based Adults with and without Meniscal Tears
JF Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
JO Ann Rheum Dis
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and European League Against Rheumatism
SP A333
OP A333
DO 10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-eular.1030
VO 72
IS Suppl 3
A1 A. Wluka
A1 A. Teichtahl
A1 Y. Wang
A1 B. Strauss
A1 J. Dixon
A1 J. Proietto
A1 G. Jones
A1 A. Forbes
A1 S. Kouloyan-Ilic
A1 J. Martel-Pelletier
A1 J. P. Pelletier
A1 F. Cicuttini
YR 2013
UL http://ard.bmj.com/content/72/Suppl_3/A333.2.abstract
AB Background Meniscal tears are commonly found on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and increase the risk for incident radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA). While meniscectomy is recommended when there is severe knee pain or associated knee locking, it is unclear how to best treat meniscal tears in the absence of these symptoms. Objectives The aim of this longitudinal study was to examine the effect of weight change on knee cartilage and pain in a cohort of community-based adults with and without meniscal tears detected by MRI. Methods 250 adults (78% completing follow-up) with no history of knee OA or knee injury were recruited from the general community and weight loss clinics. MRI of the knee, Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), weight and height were measured at baseline and again at follow-up approximately 2 years later. Results Medial meniscal tears were present in 36 (18%) of the cohort. In those with medial meniscal tears, after adjustment for age, gender, body mass index, the presence of medial tibiofemoral osteophytes and time between MRI scans, percentage weight change was significantly associated with percentage change in medial tibial cartilage volume [0.2% (95% CI 0.08% – 0.30%), p = 0.002] and knee pain [11.6% (95% CI 2.1% – 21.1%), p = 0.02]. In those with no medial meniscal tear, neither change in knee cartilage volume [0.02% (95% CI -0.005% – 0.10%), p = 0.53] or pain [1.9% (95% CI -2.2% – 6.1%), p = 0.36] was significantly associated with change in weight. Conclusions This study demonstrated that among adults with medial meniscal tears, weight gain is associated with increased cartilage loss and pain, while weight loss is associated with the converse. This suggests attention to weight is particularly important in the management of people with medial meniscal tears. Disclosure of Interest None Declared