T2 mapping of the articular cartilage as a biomarker for knee osteoarthritis: An analysis of the population-based Rotterdam Study
Authors' conclusion
In this population-based cohort, T2 values were associated with BMI. Additionally, T2 values in the lateral cartilage subregions were associated with MRI-based OA.
Study context
- Population
- Females scanned with 1.5T-MRI from a sub-cohort of the Rotterdam Study (mean age 59.8 years; SD 3.7)1,332 knees
- Participants
- 673 females
- Exposure
- T2 relaxation times of cartilage segments vs magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based osteoarthritis (OA), KOOS-based symptom status and patient characteristics
- Outcome
- Association between T2 relaxation times of cartilage segments and presence of MRI Osteoarthritis Knee Score (MOAKS)-based tibiofemoral OA
Methodological detailspopulation-based, multivariate fixed effects regression
- Population-based
- Multivariate fixed effects regression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Presence of MRI-based OA by T2 values (adjusted)
Odds ratio (95% CI)
T2, lateral weight-bearing femur
0.67(0.56–0.79)
T2, lateral tibia
1.11(1.00–1.24)
T2, lateral posterior femur
1.48(1.28–1.72)
T2, medial posterior femur
1.14(1.01–1.30)
- Knees with MRI-based OA
- 237 (17.7%)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Correlation of T2 values with BMI
- Positive correlation with BMI, strongest in lateral compartment (r)
- 0.17-0.46
Association of T2 with age
- Weak associations between T2 relaxation times and age
Association of T2 with KOOS-based symptom status
- T2 relaxation times not associated with KOOS-based symptom status
Original publication
T2 mapping of the articular cartilage as a biomarker for knee osteoarthritis: An analysis of the population-based Rotterdam Study. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. Published 18 September 2025. doi:10.
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