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The prevalence and progression of radiographic knee osteoarthritis over 6 years in a population-based cohort of middle-aged subjects

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Abstract

Details of the development of early knee osteoarthritis (OA) are largely unknown. The prevalence and progression of radiographic knee OA over 6 years in middle-aged subjects with chronic knee pain is investigated. In a prospective population-based study, tibiofemoral (TF) and patellofemoral (PF) radiographs were graded in 128 subjects (mean age 45 ± 6.2 years) for the presence of osteophytes and joint space narrowing (JSN). Radiographic progression was defined as: (i) the presence of osteophytes and/or JSN in subjects with no previous OA or (ii) an increase in the grade and/or number of already existing osteophytes and/or JSN. Altogether 56% (72/128) of subjects had knee OA, the majority of them was diagnosed with OA grade 1. In 57% of cases, radiographic OA was based on the presence of osteophytes alone versus 13% on JSN. More than 1/3 of subjects had isolated PF joint involvement. Knee OA progression rate over 6 years was 56% (71/128). During 6 years, a non-linear course of radiographic OA progression with intermittent periods of progression and stabilization was observed. Individual course of OA revealed distinct subsets of radiographic progression. Osteophytosis is an important early radiographic sign of OA and its progression. Isolated PF joint involvement is a frequent expression of knee OA. In middle-aged subjects, the progression rate of knee OA over 6 years was 56%. A non-linear course of radiographic OA progression was observed. Several radiographic subsets refer to the heterogeneity of the OA process.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Maret Vija and Helja Karo for statistical assistance. This study was supported by an ECTS/Czech Society Young Investigator Grant.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinic of Internal Medicine, University of Tartu, L.Puusepa 6-222, 51014, Tartu, Estonia

    Jaanika Kumm

  2. Clinic of Radiology, University of Tartu, L.Puusepa 8-G.1R 176, 51014, Tartu, Estonia

    Jaanika Kumm

  3. Clinic of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Tartu, L.Puusepa 1A-2082, 50405, Tartu, Estonia

    Ann Tamm

  4. Clinic of Radiology, University of Tartu, Lunini 6-109, 51014, Tartu, Estonia

    Mare Lintrop

  5. Clinic of Internal Medicine, University of Tartu, L.Puusepa 6-159, 51014, Tartu, Estonia

    Agu Tamm

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  1. Jaanika Kumm
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  2. Ann Tamm
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  3. Mare Lintrop
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  4. Agu Tamm
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Correspondence to Jaanika Kumm.

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Kumm, J., Tamm, A., Lintrop, M. et al. The prevalence and progression of radiographic knee osteoarthritis over 6 years in a population-based cohort of middle-aged subjects. Rheumatol Int 32, 3545–3550 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-011-2221-3

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