Plasma and local expressions of CircRNA CDR1as are linked with disease severity in patients with non-traumatic osteonecrosis of femoral head

Objective To investigate the correlation of plasma and local expressions of Circ CDR1as with disease severity in patients with non-traumatic osteonecrosis of femoral head (ONFH). Methods Ninety-nine non-traumatic ONFH patients receiving surgery and 99 healthy individuals were enrolled in our study. Plasma and local Circ CDR1as were detected using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Radiographic progression was determined using Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) classification system. Harris hip score (HHS) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were used to assess the clinical severity. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was carried out to evaluate the diagnostic value of plasma Circ CDR1as with regard to the radiographic severity. Results Plasma Circ CDR1as expressions were significantly higher in non-traumatic ONFH patients compared with healthy controls. In non-traumatic ONFH patients, there were no significant differences of CircCDR1as expressions between patients with alcohol-induced ONFH and steroid-induced ONFH. CircCDR1as in local necrotic tissue were significantly higher than adjacent non-affected tissue. Plasma and local Circ CDR1as expressions in patients with ARCO phase 4 were markedly upregulated compared with ARCO phase 3; plasma and local Circ CDR1as expressions in patients with ARCO phase 3 were markedly upregulated compared with ARCO phase 1/2. Plasma and local CircCDR1as expressions were positively associated with ARCO classification. In addition, plasma and local Circ CDR1as expressions were positively correlated with VAS and HHS scores. ROC curve analysis indicated that plasma Circ CDR1as may act as a decent marker for radiographic progression in non-traumatic ONFH patients. Conclusions Both plasma and local expressions of CircRNA CDR1as are linked with disease severity in patients with non-traumatic ONFH.

Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head: Can Arthroplasty be Avoided—A Brief Review of Common Interventions

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a rapidly progressive degenerative disease frequently affecting individuals within their fourth and fifth decade of life. Though often asymptomatic, patients with ONFH may present with a wide range of symptoms, including deep groin pain. There are many classification systems used to stratify disease severity, of which the Association of Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) classification system is currently the most comprehensive. Once diagnosed, an estimated 75% of patients will experience femoral head collapse within three years of diagnosis if left untreated. Currently, the only definitive intervention available for ONFH is total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, recent advancements have been made with respect to the available treatment modalities. In this article, the author review the management of ONFH, providing clinicians with the necessary information to counsel their patients.

The Glycosaminoglycan Content of Hip Cartilage in Osteonecrosis of Femoral Head: Evaluation with Delayed Gadolinium-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Cartilage

Objective Hip cartilage quality is essential for the success of joint-preserving surgery for osteonecrosis. This study aimed to characterize cartilage changes in osteonecrosis of femoral head (ONFH) using delayed gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of cartilage (dGEMRIC). Design Fifteen asymptomatic (control) and 60 ONFH subjects were included in this study. The ONFH subjects were stratified in accordance with the Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) classification ( n = 15 hips per ARCO stage). All participant hips were investigated using dGEMRIC and theT1Gd data were collected and analyzed. Results T1Gd value was significantly lower in the ONFH group (365.1 ± 90.5 ms; range 200-498 ms) compared with the control group (546.1 ± 26.0 ms; range 504-580 ms) ( P < 0.001). The T1Gd values of ARCO stage I-IV ONFH were 460.2 ± 17.3 ms (439-498 ms), 408.9 ± 43.4 ms (337-472 ms), 359.9 ± 34.5 ms (303-412 ms), 231.5 ± 15.1 ms (200-253 ms), respectively. Decreased T1Gd value was found to correlate significantly with increased ONFH severity ( P < 0.001). T1Gd value in collapse stage was significantly lower than that of noncollapse stage (295.7 ± 70.3 ms [range 200-412 ms] vs. 434.6 ± 41.7 ms [range 337-498 ms]; P < 0.001). Conclusions dGEMRIC identified hip cartilage as abnormal in ONFH, even at early-stage, as represented by decreased T1Gd, and this was further aggravated by ONFH collapse.