Cartilage calcification of the ankle joint is associated with osteoarthritis in the general population

TY - JOUR

T1 - Cartilage calcification of the ankle joint is associated with osteoarthritis in the general population

AU - Hubert, Jan

AU - Weiser, Lukas

AU - Hischke, Sandra

AU - Uhlig, Annemarie

AU - Rolvien, Tim

AU - Schmidt, Tobias

AU - Butscheidt, Sebastian Karl

AU - Püschel, Klaus

AU - Lehmann, Wolfgang

AU - Beil, Frank Timo

AU - Hawellek, Thelonius

PY - 2018/5/24

Y1 - 2018/5/24

N2 - BACKGROUND: Cartilage calcification (CC) is associated with osteoarthritis (OA) in weight-bearing joints, such as the hip and the knee. However, little is known about the impact of CC and degeneration on other weight-bearing joints, especially as it relates to the occurrence of OA in the ankles. The goal of this study is to analyse the prevalence of ankle joint cartilage calcification (AJ CC) and to determine its correlation with factors such as histological OA grade, age and BMI in the general population.METHODS: CC of the distal tibia and talus in 160 ankle joints obtained from 80 donors (mean age 62.4 years, 34 females, 46 males) was qualitatively and quantitatively analysed using high-resolution digital contact radiography (DCR). Correlations with factors, such as the joint's histological OA grade (OARSI score), donor's age and BMI, were investigated.RESULTS: The prevalence of AJ CC was 51.3% (95% CI [0.40, 0.63]), independent of gender (p = 0.18) and/or the joint's side (p = 0.82). CC of the distal tibia was detected in 35.0% (28/80) (95% CI [0.25, 0.47]) and talar CC in 47.5% (38/80) (95% CI [0.36, 0.59]) of all cases. Significant correlations were noted between the mean amount of tibial and talar CC (r = 0.59, p = 0.002), as well as between the mean amount of CC observed in one ankle joint with that of the contralateral side (r = 0.52, p = 0.02). Furthermore, although the amount of AJ CC observed in the distal tibia and talus correlated with the histological OA-grade of the joint (r = 0.70, p < 0.001 and r = 0.72, p < 0.001, respectively), no such correlation was seen in the general population with relation to age (p = 0.32 and p = 0.49) or BMI (p = 0.51 and p = 0.87).CONCLUSION: The prevalence of AJ CC in the general population is much higher than expected. The relationship between the amount of AJ CC and OA, independent of the donors' age and BMI, indicates that CC may play a causative role in the development of OA in ankles.

AB - BACKGROUND: Cartilage calcification (CC) is associated with osteoarthritis (OA) in weight-bearing joints, such as the hip and the knee. However, little is known about the impact of CC and degeneration on other weight-bearing joints, especially as it relates to the occurrence of OA in the ankles. The goal of this study is to analyse the prevalence of ankle joint cartilage calcification (AJ CC) and to determine its correlation with factors such as histological OA grade, age and BMI in the general population.METHODS: CC of the distal tibia and talus in 160 ankle joints obtained from 80 donors (mean age 62.4 years, 34 females, 46 males) was qualitatively and quantitatively analysed using high-resolution digital contact radiography (DCR). Correlations with factors, such as the joint's histological OA grade (OARSI score), donor's age and BMI, were investigated.RESULTS: The prevalence of AJ CC was 51.3% (95% CI [0.40, 0.63]), independent of gender (p = 0.18) and/or the joint's side (p = 0.82). CC of the distal tibia was detected in 35.0% (28/80) (95% CI [0.25, 0.47]) and talar CC in 47.5% (38/80) (95% CI [0.36, 0.59]) of all cases. Significant correlations were noted between the mean amount of tibial and talar CC (r = 0.59, p = 0.002), as well as between the mean amount of CC observed in one ankle joint with that of the contralateral side (r = 0.52, p = 0.02). Furthermore, although the amount of AJ CC observed in the distal tibia and talus correlated with the histological OA-grade of the joint (r = 0.70, p < 0.001 and r = 0.72, p < 0.001, respectively), no such correlation was seen in the general population with relation to age (p = 0.32 and p = 0.49) or BMI (p = 0.51 and p = 0.87).CONCLUSION: The prevalence of AJ CC in the general population is much higher than expected. The relationship between the amount of AJ CC and OA, independent of the donors' age and BMI, indicates that CC may play a causative role in the development of OA in ankles.

KW - Journal Article

U2 - 10.1186/s12891-018-2094-7

DO - 10.1186/s12891-018-2094-7

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 29793463

VL - 19

SP - 169

JO - BMC MUSCULOSKEL DIS

JF - BMC MUSCULOSKEL DIS

SN - 1471-2474

IS - 1

ER -