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Background: Synovial inflammation is a risk factor for osteoarthritis (OA). But to date, there is limited information on how inflammation impacts progression of knee OA. Purpose: To investigate how sustained synovitis, assessed with semi‐quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scores, impacts progression of knee degenerative changes over 4 years. Study Type: Retrospective cohort study. Subjects: In 249 participants (N = 132 women [53%]), from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) two definitions for synovitis were used resulting in two groups of participants with sustained synovitis at baseline, 2‐year, and 4‐year follow‐up (N = 80 and N = 132), and two groups without synovitis at all three time points (N = 81 and N = 47). Field Strength/Sequence: 3 T intermediate‐weighted (IW) turbo spin‐echo (TSE) sequence and three‐dimensional (3D) dual‐echo steady‐state (DESS) sequence. Assessment: Synovitis was scored semi‐quantitatively using the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Osteoarthritis Score (ACLOAS), MRI Osteoarthritis Knee Score (MOAKS), and synovial proliferation score (SPS). Two MRI‐based definitions of synovitis were used: (i) score ≥2 based on cumulative score of MOAKS and ACLOAS, and (ii) score ≥3 based on the cumulative score of ACLOAS, MOAKS, and SPS. Changes in structural abnormalities from baseline to year 4 measured using the whole‐organ MRI score (WORMS) were defined as outcomes. Statistical Tests: Linear regression models were used to compare the differences in longitudinal changes in WORMS scores between participants with and without sustained synovitis for each definition of sustained synovitis. A P‐value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Significantly higher rates of progression were found in participants with synovitis for patellar (Beta coeff. = 0.29) and medial tibial cartilage abnormalities (Beta coeff. = 0.29) for definition (i). For definition (ii), patellar (Beta coeff. = 0.36) and medial femoral cartilage (Beta coeff. = 0.30) abnormalities demonstrated significant differences. Data Conclusion: Greater progression of structural degenerative disease was observed in individuals with sustained synovitis compared to those without sustained synovitis, suggesting that sustained synovitis is associated with progressive OA. Level of Evidence: 3 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between weight cycling and knee joint degeneration in individuals with overweight or obesity with different patterns of weight change over 4 years.Methods: A total of 2,271 individuals from the Osteoarthritis Initiative database were assessed (case-control study). Linear regression models using annual BMI measurements over 4 years were used to classify participants as weight cyclers or noncyclers. 3-T magnetic resonance imaging was used to quantify knee cartilage transverse relaxation time (T2) and cartilage thickness annually over 4 years in all subjects. Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scores (WORMS) were obtained for cartilage, meniscus, and bone-marrow abnormalities in 958 subjects at baseline and at the 4-year follow-up. The longitudinal differences in cartilage T2 and thickness between weight cyclers and noncyclers were assessed using general estimating equations, whereas the differences in WORMS outcomes were compared using general linear models.Results: No significant differences in the rate of change of cartilage thickness or T2 were found between weight cyclers and noncyclers. However, increases in maximum cartilage WORMS (P = 0.0025) and bone-marrow abnormalities (P = 0.04) were significantly greater in weight cyclers than in noncyclers.Conclusions: Although participants' intent for weight cycling in this study was unknown, weight cyclers had significantly greater increases in cartilage and bone-marrow abnormalities over 4 years than noncyclers, independent of weight gain and loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]