The association between worsening of synovitis and radiographic osteoarthritis progression is more pronounced in obese individuals: data from the osteoarthritis initiative

Purpose: Synovial inflammation in the knee is associated with osteoarthritis (KOA) progression. Yet, relation of body mass index (BMI) to worsening synovitis and OA progression remains unknown. This study investigated association during a 2-year period radiographic KOA over 48 months 3 groups patients according their BMI. Methods: We analyzed 273 right knees from 243 participants Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI). Subjects were randomly selected by matching for age, gender, race baseline Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L). Three 91 classified BMI analyzed: normal weight (BMI < 24.9 kg/m2, average 22.71 ± 1.69), overweight 25-29.9 27.37 ±- 1.40), obese ≥ 30 33.35 2.80). MRI Knee Score (MOAKS) was used semi-quantitative evaluation (0-3) effusion Hoffa-synovitis at 24 follow-up. defined as scale increase >=1 Results: In each group, mean age 61.3 years, 80 % women 97% Caucasian. Baseline KL follows: 44% grade 0, 32% 1, 17.6% 2 6.5% 3. Synovitis-effusion detected 53% (average score 0.60 ±0.62) 48% 0.56 0.65). Of interest, had higher than or patients. 83 group both follow up. At years follow-up, 37% experienced synovitis-effusion 0.93 0.83), 30% 0.77 0.75). Worsening not follow-up observed knees. Synovitis (83.1% vs 30.5% no progression, p<0.01). more pronounced group. 96.4% whereas 85.2% subjects 70.6% (p<0.05). Hoffa also (89% 33% , p<0.01), but this did vary Conclusions: months, nearly all subjects. Treatments reduce synovial effusions may slow non-obese