Cartilage T2-values increased faster over 72 months in African American (AA) women than in White American (WA) women, however changes in whole-organ magnetic resonance imaging score (WORMS) cartilage, meniscus, and bone marrow edema pattern (BMEP) scores did not differ. This according to a study of 100 African American women and 100 White women from the Osteoarthritis Initiative who were followed up for 72 months. Researchers found:

• Cartilage T2 values in African American women increased at a significantly faster rate at baseline (AA=0.45 ms/y; WA=0.35 ms/y) and averaged over 6 years (AA=0.36 ms/y; WA=0.27 ms/y), with changes in both groups reaching a plateau by 48 months.

• Cartilage, meniscus, and BMEP score tended to increase in both groups during follow-up; however, rates of change did not differ by ethnicity.

Citation: Kretzschmar M, Heilmeier UR, Yu A, et al. Longitudinal analysis of cartilage T2 relaxation times and joint degeneration in African American and Caucasian American women over an observation period of 6 years-Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative. [Published online ahead of print March 10, 2016]. Osteoarthr Cartilage. doi:10.1016/j.joca.2016.03.002.