Comprehensive comparative analysis of infrapatellar fat pad morphologies in a longitudinal knee osteoarthritis exploratory study: new insights into its role as an independent prognostic marker
Authors' conclusion
This longitudinal exploratory study, leveraging a fully automated technology, highlights that i) IPFP volume (global and both signals) is superior to area metrics in predicting long-term structural changes in OA, and ii) smaller IPFP volume and area are linked with reduced need for KR.
Study context
- Population
- Knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients (mild to moderate), Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) progression cohort; one target knee per participant
- Participants
- 1,075 target knees
- Outcome
- IPFP morphological features as independent prognostic markers of symptoms (WOMAC), structural changes (cartilage, BML, effusion volumes) and KR
- Follow-up
- 96 months
Methodological detailsexploratory, 96-month follow-up, fully automated MRI-based infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) assessment, mixed model for repeated measures (MMRM) or ANCOVA, Data collected at baseline and 12, 24, 48 and 96 months
- Exploratory
- 96-month follow-up
- Fully automated MRI-based IPFP assessment
- MMRM or ANCOVA
- Data collected at baseline and 12, 24, 48 and 96 months
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Associations of baseline IPFP morphology with outcomes
- Cartilage volume change: hypointense and hyperintense IPFP volumes, 48, 96 months
- p≤0.04
- BML volume change: global IPFP volume, 48 months
- p=0.05
- BML volume change: hyperintense IPFP area, 12 months
- p≤0.04
- Effusion volume change: hypointense volume 48 months and hyperintense volume 96 months
- p≤0.05
- Smaller IPFP sizes (below median) associated with cumulative knee replacement (KR) at 96 months: global and hypointense volumes
- p≤0.04
- Smaller IPFP maximum area associated with cumulative KR at 96 months
- p=0.05
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Changes over time
- WOMAC, cartilage volume, IPFP global and hypointense signal volumes, maximal and hypointense signal areas decreased
- all p≤0.001
- Joint effusion and hyperintense signal volume and area increased
- both p≤0.001
Original publication
Comprehensive comparative analysis of infrapatellar fat pad morphologies in a longitudinal knee osteoarthritis exploratory study: new insights into its role as an independent prognostic marker. Arthritis Res Ther. Published 26 April 2025. doi:10.
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