An ultrasound score for knee osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional validation study

B F Riecke; R Christensen; S Torp-Pedersen; M Boesen; H Gudbergsen; H Bliddal

doi:10.1016/j.joca.2014.06.020

An ultrasound score for knee osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional validation study

Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2014 Oct;22(10):1675-91. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2014.06.020.

Authors

B F Riecke¹, R Christensen², S Torp-Pedersen³, M Boesen⁴, H Gudbergsen⁵, H Bliddal⁶

Affiliations

¹ The Parker Institute, Department of Rheumatology, Copenhagen University Hospitals, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark. Electronic address: [email protected].
² The Parker Institute, Department of Rheumatology, Copenhagen University Hospitals, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark; Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. Electronic address: [email protected].
³ The Parker Institute, Department of Rheumatology, Copenhagen University Hospitals, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁴ The Parker Institute, Department of Rheumatology, Copenhagen University Hospitals, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Radiology, Copenhagen University Hospitals, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁵ The Parker Institute, Department of Rheumatology, Copenhagen University Hospitals, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁶ The Parker Institute, Department of Rheumatology, Copenhagen University Hospitals, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 25278077
DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2014.06.020

Abstract

Objective: To develop standardized musculoskeletal ultrasound (MUS) procedures and scoring for detecting knee osteoarthritis (OA) and test the MUS score's ability to discern various degrees of knee OA, in comparison with plain radiography and the 'Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score' (KOOS) domains as comparators.

Method: A cross-sectional study of MUS examinations in 45 patients with knee OA. Validity, reliability, and reproducibility were evaluated.

Results: MUS examination for knee OA consists of five separate domains assessing (1) predominantly morphological changes in the medial compartment, (2) predominantly inflammation in the medial compartment, (3) predominantly morphological changes in the lateral compartment, (4) predominantly inflammation in the lateral compartment, and (5) effusion. MUS scores displayed substantial reliability and reproducibility, with interclass correlations coefficients ranging from 0.75 to 0.97 for the five domains. Construct validity was confirmed with statistically significant correlation coefficients (0.47-0.81, P < 0.01).

Conclusion: The MUS score suggested in this study was reliable and valid in detecting knee OA. In comparison with standing radiographs of the knees, the score detected all aspects of knee OA with relevant precision.

Keywords: Clinical outcome; KOOS; Kellgren–Lawrence score; Knee osteoarthritis; Musculoskeletal ultrasound.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Validation Study

MeSH terms

Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Cartilage, Articular / diagnostic imaging*
Cartilage, Articular / pathology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Hypertrophy
Knee Joint / diagnostic imaging*
Male
Menisci, Tibial / diagnostic imaging*
Middle Aged
Organ Size
Osteoarthritis, Knee / complications
Osteoarthritis, Knee / diagnostic imaging*
Osteophyte / diagnostic imaging*
Osteophyte / etiology
Reproducibility of Results
Severity of Illness Index
Synovial Membrane / diagnostic imaging*
Synovial Membrane / pathology
Ultrasonography