Correlation of Patellofemoral Chondromalacia and Body Mass Index (BMI) in Relation to Sex and Age Analysis of 1.5T and 3.0T Magnetic Resonance (MR) Images Using the Outerbridge Scale.

BACKGROUND Cartilage disease (chondromalacia) is most commonly found in the patellofemoral joint. Non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging methods are used to assess the severity of chondromalacia. The available literature lacks papers describing the predilection of chondromalacia changes to BMI assessed on the basis of geometric data that can be assessed by 1.5T and 3.0T MRI. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the severity of chondromalacia of the patellofemoral joint and age, sex, and BMI assessed on the 1.5T and 3.0T MRI scanners. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study involved 324 patients, including 159 (49%) women and 165 (51%) men, aged 8-87 years (mean age: 45.1±20.9). The studied group had a BMI in the range of 14.3-47.3 (M: 27.7±5.02). A 1.5T and 3.0T MRI scanner were used in the study. To assess the cartilage of the patellofemoral joint, Outerbridge scales were used. RESULTS The age of the patients showed a significant correlation (Spearman's rank, P<0.0001) with Outterbridge grade for each surface of patellofemoral joint. Higher correlation between BMI and Outerbridge grade was noted in the patella (rho=0.4139) than in the femur (rho=0.2890). There were no significant differences between women and men in the Outerbridge assessment of the knee joint (P>0.05).  Significant more degeneration was found at the 1.5T scanner compared to the 3.0T MRI (P<0.0025). CONCLUSIONS The severity of chondromalacia significantly depends on age and BMI level. There is a stronger correlation between the degree of chondromalacia and BMI in women than in men.

Relationship between Outerbridge Scale and Chondropathy Femorotibial Joint in Relation to Gender and Age-The Use of 1.5T and 3.0T MRI Scanners.

Background and Objective: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enables the effective evaluation of chondromalacia of the knee joint. Cartilage disease is affected by many factors, including gender, age, and body mass index (BMI). The aim of this study was to check the relationship between the severity of chondromalacia of the femoro-tibial joint and age, gender, and BMI assessed with 1.5T and 3.0T MRI scanners. Materials and Methods: The cross-observational study included 324 patients­159 (49%) females and 165 (51%) males aged 8−87 (45.1 ± 20.9). The BMI of study group was between 14.3 and 47.3 (27.7 ± 5.02). 1.5T and 3.0T MRI scanners were used in the study. The articular cartilage of the knee joint was assessed using the Outerbridge scale. Results: The age of the patients showed a significant correlation with Outerbrige for each compartment of the femorotibial joint (Spearman's rank correlation rho: 0.69−0.74, p < 0.0001). A higher correlation between BMI and Outerbridge was noted in the femur medial (rho = 0.45, p < 0.001) and the tibia medial (rho = 0.43, p < 0.001) than in the femur lateral (rho = 0.29, p < 0.001) and the tibia lateral compartment (rho = 0.34, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The severity of chondromalacia significantly depends on age and BMI level, regardless of gender.

Shoulder Dislocation Incidence and Risk Factors-Rural vs. Urban Populations of Poland.

(1) Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence of shoulder dislocation and to estimate non-modifiable risk factors in rural and urban subgroups in Poland. (2) Methods: The study covered the entire Polish population, divided into urban and rural subgroups and observed between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2014. The study population consisted of Polish patients with a diagnosis of shoulder dislocation (S43.0) in accordance with the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10). Records were obtained from the public health care provider National Health Found (Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia, NFZ). Based on these data, we assessed shoulder dislocation incidence and risk rates, stratifying the study sample by sex, age and place of residence (rural or urban) using the Central Statistical Office (GUS) personal territorial code (TERYT). (3) The incidence was 25.97/100,000 person-years in rural areas and 25.62/100,000 person-years in urban areas. We did not find significant differences in the incidence between the two subgroups. The highest incidence (75.12/100,000 person-years) and the highest risk for shoulder dislocation were found among subjects 80+ years old living in urban areas. Furthermore, men in the third decade of their life living in urban areas showed the highest risk (OR = 7.8, 95% CI; 6.44-9.45, p < 0.001). In both subgroups, the likelihood of shoulder dislocation was significantly lower for the female sex and among children ≤9 years old. However, girls living in rural areas presented with a significantly higher likelihood for dislocation compared with their peers living in urban environments. (4) Conclusions: No significant difference in the incidence rate of shoulder dislocation between Polish residents living in rural and urban areas emerged. The highest incidence was observed among female subjects 80+ years old living in urban environments. The highest risk was found among men in the third decade of their life living in urban areas. In addition, girls in the first decade of their life living in rural areas had more shoulder dislocations than girls living in urban environments. Shoulder dislocation is dominant in female subjects aged 70-79 living in rural areas and in females 80+ years old living in urban areas.

Knee Diameter and Cross-Section Area Measurements in MRI as New Promising Methods of Chondromalacia Diagnosis-Pilot Study.

Background and Objectives: Chondromalacia often affects the knee joint. Risk factors for the development of cartilage degenerative changes include overweight, female sex and age. The use of radiological parameters to assess the knee joint is rarely reported in the literature. Materials and Methods: The study involved 324 patients, including 159 (49%) women and 165 (51%) men, with an age range between 8−87 years (mean: 45.1 ± 20.9). The studied group had a body mass index (BMI) in the range of 14.3−47.3 (mean: 27.7 ± 5.02). A 1.5 Tesla and 3.0 Tesla (T) MRI scanner was used to assess the cartilage of the knee joint using the Outerbridge scale. The radiological parameters analyzed were the Insall−Salvati index, knee surface area, knee AP (antero-posterior) maximal diameter and knee SD (sinistro-dexter) maximal diameter. Results: Parameters such as the knee surface area, knee AP maximal diameter and knee SD maximal diameter showed a significant correlation with Outerbridge Scale (p < 0.014). The age of the patients showed a significant correlation with each knee parameter (p < 0.004). Results of knee AP and SD maximal diameter measurements strongly depended on BMI level. Conclusions: A significant relationship was found between the knee surface area, knee AP maximal diameter and knee SD maximal diameter and the advancement of chondromalacic changes in the knee joint, age and BMI.

Avascular Necrosis Bone Complication after Active COVID-19 Infection: Preliminary Results.

Background and objectives: The course of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) is still under analysis. The majority of complications arising from the infection are related to the respiratory system. The adverse effect of the viral infection on bone and joint tissue has also been observed. Materials and Methods: We present a group of 10 patients with degeneration of large joints and adjacent epiphyses of long bones and the spine, with a background of bone infarctions and avascular necrosis (AVN) immediately after infection with the COVID-19 virus. In MR imaging, changes in the characteristics of AVN were documented. Results: Observation of this group showed a clear correlation among the history of COVID-19 disease in the patients, moderately severe symptoms, high levels of IgG antibodies, and the time of occurrence of joint changes. No other clinically significant complications were observed following COVID-19 infection in the study group. No other risk factors for AVN or autoimmune or degenerative diseases were found in the study group. The group of patients responded well to empirical treatment with steroids, which normalized acute inflammatory symptoms and pain in the joints. Conclusions: During coronavirus (COVID-19) infection, there are complications in the locomotor system, such as microembolism and the formation of AVN; hence, more research is needed.