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OBJECTIVES: Radiographic osteoarthritis (ROA) has previously been shown to be associated with an increase in areal bone mineral density (BMD) as assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Here we have assessed volumetric bone density, size and strength by peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) in a large population-based cohort study in which knee radiographs were available. METHODS: Two hundred and ninety-five men and 288 women from the MRC Hertfordshire Cohort Study underwent weight bearing extended knee X-rays and bone density measurement of the ipsi-lateral knee using pQCT. RESULTS: Increasing radiographic grade in men but not women was associated with an increase in tibial total area at 38% site and cortical area at 14% site, but not with volumetric BMD. The tibial fracture loads as well as tibial polar strength strain index at 38% site were also increased. There were no significant associations of tibia bone area, BMD or strength with radiographic grade in women. CONCLUSION: ROA is not associated with an increase in volumetric BMD as assessed by pQCT. It is, however, associated with a significant increase in bone area and strength, indicating that the association between ROA and areal BMD is mediated through bone size rather than volumetric BMD.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.joca.2008.06.004

Type

Journal article

Journal

Osteoarthritis cartilage

Publication Date

02/2009

Volume

17

Pages

174 - 177

Keywords

Absorptiometry, Photon, Aged, Bone Density, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Osteoarthritis, Knee, Tibia, Tomography, X-Ray Computed