Table 2

Associations of changes in dGEMRIC indices with changes in cartilage thickness over time, stratified by changes in dGEMRIC: increased and decreased dGEMRIC groups

Outcome: changes in cartilage thicknessPredictor: decrease in dGEMRIC from baseline to 1 yearUnadjustedAdjusted*
TimelineRegionβ1 (SE)p Valueβ1 (SE)p Value
Decreased dGMERIC group‡
 1 Year–baselineMedial tibiaMedial tibia0.000058 (0.000117)0.620.000180 (0.000158)0.26
Medial tibiaCentral medial femur0.000170 (0.000091)0.070.000119 (0.000097)0.23
 2 Years–1 yearMedial tibiaMedial tibia−0.000164 (0.000172)0.35−0.000093 (0.000211)0.66
Medial tibiaCentral medial femur−0.000307 (0.000131)0.02†−0.000304 (0.000146)0.04†
 1 Year–baselineCentral medial femurMedial tibia0.000032 (0.00021)0.880.000186 (0.000212)0.39
Central medial femurCentral medial femur0.000384 (0.000173)0.03†0.000287 (0.000167)0.09
 2 Years–1 yearCentral medial femurMedial tibia−0.000192 (0.000248)0.44−0.000141 (0.000304)0.65
Central medial femurCentral medial femur−0.000446 (0.000178)0.02†−0.000486 (0.000174)0.01†
Increased dGEMRIC group‡
 1 Year–baselineMedial tibiaMedial tibia0.000019 (0.000073)0.800.000019 (0.000079)0.81
Medial tibiaCentral medial femur−0.000039 (0.000088)0.66−0.000042 (0.00098)0.67
 2 Years–1 yearMedial tibiaMedial tibia0.000053 (0.000105)0.610.000088 (0.000123)0.48
Medial tibiaCentral medial femur0.000147 (0.000130)0.260.000113 (0.000155)0.47
 1 Year–baselineCentral medial femurMedial tibia0.000149 (0.000122)0.220.000132 (0.000130)0.31
Central medial femurCentral medial femur0.000027 (0.000145)0.85−0.000090 (0.000142)0.53
 2 Year–1 yearCentral medial femurMedial tibia−0.000178 (0.000155)0.25−0.000062 (0.000161)0.70
Central medial femurCentral medial femur0.000274 (0.000196)0.170.000237 (0.000212)0.27

  • *Adjusted for age,  body mass index, knee malalignment and the Kellgren and Lawrence grade.

  • †Statistical significance defined as p<0.05.

  • ‡decreased group, dGEMRIC index lower at 1 year than at baseline; increased group, dGEMRIC index higher at 1 year than at baseline.

  • dGEMRIC, delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cartilage.