| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
|
| Year : 2010 | Volume
: 5
| Issue : 1 | Page : 11-15 |
|
|
Relating bone marrow oedema to hs-CRP in knee osteoarthritis
H Bassiouni1, K Zaki1, M Elshorbagi2, A Mustapha1, R Tantawi1, H Ali1, S Metyas3, DG Arkfeld3
1 Department of Rheumatology, Al-Hussein University Hospital, Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
2 Department of Clinical Pathology, Al-Hussein University Hospital, Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
3 Department of Rheumatology, USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
Correspondence Address:
H Bassiouni
Department of Rheumatology, Al-Hussein University Hospital, Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
|
|
|
Objective: To study the correlation between bone marrow oedema (BME) on knee magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and plasma high sensitive-CRP (hs-CRP) levels in patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Methods: Thirty patients with symptomatic OA of the knee were included and stratified into three equal groups con-
sisting of normal alignment, varus or valgus misalignment of symptomatic knee. Radiographic scoring using Kellgren-Lawrence grading (K-L grade) was performed and an MRI of the knee taken. Intensity of pain was evalu- ated using a pain visual analogue scale (VAS) and the functional status determined by Lequesne functional index. In addition, hs-CRP was estimated in all patients and in 20 healthy controls.
Results: BME was present in 14 patients (46%) with OA and in none of the controls. Patients with BME had signifi- cantly longer disease duration, a higher lequesne score, suggesting greater functional impairment and more advanced radiological changes. A significantly higher number of patients (12/30, 40%) had an elevated hs-CRP than healthy controls (2/20, 10%, P = 0.02). There was, however, no association between hs-CRP and BME. Patients with varus and valgus deformities harboured BME on the medial and lateral tibiofemoral compartments, respectively.
Conclusion: BME is a feature of advanced OA of the knee and is associated with radiographic progression, a greater functional impairment and longer disease duration. It is, however, not associated with raised hs-CRP levels. |
|
|
|
| [PDF]* |
|
 |
|
