Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37498905›Full record

ArticlePloS one2023

Patellar malalignment correlates with increased pain and increased synovial stress hormone levels-A cross-sectional study.

Marco Brenneis, Marius Junker, Rebecca Sohn, Sebastian Braun, Markus Ehnert, Frank Zaucke, Zsuzsa Jenei-Lanzl, Andrea Meurer

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Complement 3 and 4 impact in osteoarthritis.Biomarkers in medicine · 2025
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Marco BrenneisDepartment of Orthopedics (Friedrichsheim), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.ORCID 0000-0001-7811-7493
Marius JunkerDepartment of Orthopedics (Friedrichsheim), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
Rebecca SohnDepartment of Orthopedics (Friedrichsheim), Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Research Unit for Osteoarthritis, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
Sebastian BraunDepartment of Orthopedics (Friedrichsheim), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
Markus EhnertDepartment of Orthopedics (Friedrichsheim), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
Frank ZauckeDepartment of Orthopedics (Friedrichsheim), Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Research Unit for Osteoarthritis, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
Zsuzsa Jenei-LanzlDepartment of Orthopedics (Friedrichsheim), Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Research Unit for Osteoarthritis, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
Andrea MeurerDepartment of Orthopedics (Friedrichsheim), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeRisk factors for the development of pain in the context of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) remain unclear. Radiological findings often do not correlate with clinical findings, so other pathomechanisms in the development and perception of pain must play a role. The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlation of increased sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity (measured by subjective and objective chronic stress parameters) with KOA severity, patellofemoral malalignment, and pain.

methods47 patients with KOA were assessed. Radiological measurements of tibiofemoral and patellofemoral parameters (Kellgren-Lawrence-score, patellar tilt (PT), Caton-Deschamps-Index and Hepp´s classification) were performed and correlated with knee-specific questionnaires (WOMAC®, KSS©) and chronic stress questionnaires (PSQ-20). Additionally, parameters associated with chronic stress were quantified in synovial fluid and serum samples from patients.

resultsPT correlated significantly with Caton-Deschamps-Index (r = 0.394,p = 0.006) and with medial patellofemoral joint space (r = 0.516,p<0.001). In addition, asymmetric trochlear groove (Hepp's classification > II) was associated with significantly higher PT values (p = 0.014). A negative correlation between PT and KSS©-symptoms subgroup was found (r = -0.340,p = 0.024). Patients with PT<5° had significantly higher scores in the Knee Society Score©-symptoms subgroup (p = 0.038). A positive and significant correlation between synovial aldosterone levels and PT was observed (r = 0.548,p = 0.042).

conclusionThe results of this study indicate that patellar malalignment might correlate with increased pain. The previous specification of standard PT values must be reconsidered as even low PT values seem to play a role in the occurrence of patellofemoral osteoarthritis symptoms. Lower PT values might lead to aggravated symptoms in patients with KOA due to a narrow medial patellofemoral joint space. In addition, PT might induce the release of synovial stress biomarkers and thus contribute to the progression of KOA.

Indexed as

Osteoarthritis, KneePatellofemoral JointCross-Sectional StudiesHormonesHumansKnee JointPainPatellaHormones

Identifiers

PMID37498905
PMCPMC10374142

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.