Responsiveness and reliability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in knee osteoarthritis: An updated meta-analysis
Authors' conclusion
MRI demonstrates high reliability and good responsiveness for structural monitoring of knee OA.
Study context
- Population
- Studies of MRI for assessing structural changes in knee osteoarthritis (OA)145 studies
- Outcome
- Reliability (RMS-CV%, CV%, ICC, kappa) and responsiveness (SRM) of MRI
Methodological detailsthree-level random-effects meta-analysis, meta-regression, Search of five databases up to December 2024; 57008 studies screened
- Three-level random-effects meta-analysis
- Meta-regression
- Search of five databases up to December 2024; 57008 studies screened
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Pooled RMS-CV%, total cartilage volume (intra-reader, OA patients; 114 studies)
2.7%
95% CI 1.9–3.8%
Pooled RMS-CV%, total cartilage thickness
3.0%
95% CI 2.1–4.2%
Pooled RMS-CV%, total cartilage surface area
1.5%
95% CI 0.9–2.7%
Pooled annualized SRM, medial tibiofemoral cartilage thickness (highest responsiveness; 45 studies)
SRM=−0.350, 95% CI: −0.405 to −0.294
Further pooled results
Association of study duration with absolute quantitative SRM for cartilage volume and thickness (meta-regression, 2010-2024)
- Absolute SRM increased with study duration
- β=−0.016 to −0.003, P < 0.05 across most cartilage regions within the knee
Original publication
Responsiveness and reliability of MRI in knee osteoarthritis: An updated meta-analysis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. Published 21 April 2026. doi:10.
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