Relationship between MRI T1 mapping and serum inflammatory cytokine levels in early knee osteoarthritis and their association with prognosis

To investigate the relationship between MRI T1 mapping values and serum inflammatory cytokines in early knee osteoarthritis (KOA), and their combined association with clinical prognosis. A total of 79 early KOA patients and 15 healthy controls underwent 3.0T MRI T1 mapping. Blinded measurements of T1 values in four knee (medial and lateral femoral condyles, and medial and lateral tibial plateaus) regions and detection of serum IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α were performed. Pearson correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between T1 values and serum inflammatory factors. Patients were followed up for 12 months, and knee X-rays were used to assess Kellgren-Lawrence grade progression, with an increase of ≥ 1 grade defined as poor prognosis. Stepwise regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of prognosis, and ROC curves were plotted to evaluate the predictive efficacy of these independent predictors. Serum levels (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, T1) were significantly higher in KOA patients than in healthy controls. T1 values were positively correlated with serum levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α. After 12 months of follow-up, 21 patients had poor prognosis. T1 values and inflammatory factor levels were significantly positively correlated with K-L grade progression. Stepwise regression analysis showed that the T1 value of the medial femoral condyle and TNF-α were independent predictors of poor prognosis. ROC curve analysis revealed that the AUC for the T1 value of the medial femoral condyle was 0.962 and that for TNF-α was 0.784. MRI T1 values correlate with serum inflammatory cytokine levels in patients with early-stage KOA.