Determinants of rapid knee osteoarthritis progression using radiograph features
Official title: Identifying determinants of rapid structural and/or clinical progression in knee osteoarthritis by quantitative assessment of structural features on radiographs
Funded at University of Arizona · NIH-11416360 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-friendly look at how knees with osteoarthritis may progress more quickly, using advanced X-ray measurements to identify who is at higher risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project start | August 12, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $634,700 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR080742-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11416360 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 years and older with knee osteoarthritis or suspected KOA who undergo knee imaging.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without KOA or imaging correlates of fast progression may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
This project uses a validated software tool to measure structural features in knee X-rays and links those features to how quickly OA progresses in adults. By analyzing baseline radiographs, the researchers aim to find patterns that predict rapid worsening of knee structure and symptoms. The goal is to identify high-risk knees so future treatments can be targeted earlier. The study is conducted through the University of Arizona with a focus on real-world imaging data.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, doctors could identify high-risk patients earlier and tailor treatments or monitoring to slow knee OA progression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that quantitative imaging features can relate to OA progression, but this project tests a novel combination of features.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Arizona
Tucson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kwoh, C Kent — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Kwoh, C Kent
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how knee pain and knee obesity and muscle loss affect knee osteoarthritis
This project looks at how knee swelling, excess knee fat, and muscle loss relate to pain and structural changes in knee osteoarthritis in adults.
-
Nanoparticles delivering an sPLA2 blocker for knee osteoarthritis
This project uses tiny, drug-filled nanoparticles to deliver an sPLA2-blocking medicine into the knee to reduce inflammation and slow knee osteoarthritis in people with painful knee OA.
-
Remote tai chi for knee OA in everyday care
A nationwide study will test remotely delivered tai chi for people with knee osteoarthritis to see if it helps pain and function when added to usual care.
-
Sensory nerves and joint cells talk to each other in knee arthritis
This grant tests how nerve signals and joint cells interact in knee osteoarthritis, with a focus on CGRP pathways and how they affect pain and joint damage.
-
From knee to brain: a whole-body look at inflammation in knee osteoarthritis
Aims to map inflammation across the body and brain in people with knee osteoarthritis using advanced imaging to help explain and improve pain and treatment.
-
New ways to study nerve cells linked to knee osteoarthritis pain
A researcher at a major university is exploring new models to understand how dorsal root ganglion nerves drive knee OA pain, with the aim of finding better ways to relieve pain.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.