The role of thigh muscle and adipose tissue in knee osteoarthritis progression in women: data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative

摘要

ObjectiveTo determine whether loss in thigh muscle strength in women concurrent with knee osteoarthritis progression is associated with reductions of muscle anatomical cross-sectional area (ACSA) or specific-strength (i.e., isometric force÷ACSA), and to explore relationships with local adiposity. DesignFemale participants from the Osteoarthritis Initiative with Kellgren–Lawrence grade ≤3, thigh isometric strength measurements, and thigh magnetic resonance images at year-two (Y2) and year-four (Y4) (n?=?739, age 62?±?9 years; body mass index measurements (BMI) 28.8?±?5.9?kg/m2) were grouped into: (1) those with vs without symptomatic progression (≥9 increase in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC)-pain [scale: 0–100]); and (2) those with vs without radiographic progression (≥0.7?mm reduction in minimum joint space width). The change in knee extensor and flexor ACSA and specific-strength, and subcutaneous and intermuscular fat (IMF) ACSAs were compared between progressors and non-progressors using analysis of covariance. ResultsSymptomatic progression was associated with a significantly greater loss (p?