A Anandacoomarasamy, S Leibman, G Smith, I Caterson, B Giuffre, M Fransen, P N Sambrook, L March Ann Rheum Dis 2012;71:26–32 R2 Kim Kwang-Yeol / prof. Kim So-Mi

Introduction Obesity: significant risk factor fore the incidence of Knee OA(osteoarthritis) Loss of articular cartilage is a marker of OA severity MRI allows the measurement of important cartilage structural feature such as thickness and volume. (detection of pre-radiographic OA) Delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cartilage(dGEMRIC) – Relative distribution of glycosaminoglycans(GAGs) – Low GAG content =low dGEMRIC index – High GAG content = high dGEMRIC index

Introduction Weight loss has been shown to reduce knee pain and to improve knee stiffness, function and disability No studies to date have assessed the effect of weight loss on MRI cartilage structural outcomes The aim of current study: evaulate the effect of weight loss on cartilage thickness and GAG content in a cohort of obese participating in weight loss program

Methods Study population – Two weight loss (non-surgical or surgical) – Obese : BMI >30 kg/mg2 – Exclusion criteria: inflammatory arthritis, psychiatric illness, GFR<60mmol/l pregnancy or breast feeding Assessments – One hundred and eleven subjects were recruited. – Baseline and again 12 months later – MRI assessment: cartilage thickness, Knee dGEMRIC Statistical analysis – Spearman corelation analysis – Mann- Whitney test – SPSS standard version 16.0 – p value <0.05 was regarded as statistically significant

RESULT

Result

< ≥

Weight loss: 43 kg BMI change: 13 IU

Conclusion Weight loss is associated with improvement in the quality and quantity of medial articular cartilage. This was not observed in the lateral compartment This could ultimately lead to a reduced need for total joint replacement and is thus a finding with important public health implications