To study the impact of weight loss on inflammation in individuals with overweight and knee osteoarthritis (OA) using both static- and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI and assess the association of these changes to pain.
Individuals with overweight (BMI > 27) and knee OA were examined before and after a >5% weight loss over 8 weeks (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02905864). Using 3-T MRI, inflammation was quantified from non-contrast enhanced static-MRI according to MOAKS and contrast enhanced static MRI according to BLOKS and 11-point whole-knee synovitis score. DCE-MRI was used to assess the inflammation in the infra patellar fat pad (IPFP). Pain was assessed using KOOS.
Complete data were available in 117 participants with a mean age of 60 years, BMI of 35 kg/m
Weight loss did not induce a significant change in inflammation in individuals with overweight and OA. The significant clinical beneficial effect of weight loss on knee pain in individuals with overweight and knee OA seems uncoupled to changes in imaging markers of synovitis.