Infrared spectroscopy is suitable for objective assessment of articular cartilage health. Issue 2 (June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Virtanen, V.; Tafintseva, V.; Shaikh, R.; Nippolainen, E.; Haas, J.; Afara, I.O.; Töyräs, J.; Kröger, H.; Solheim, J.; Zimmermann, B.; Kohler, A.; Mizaikoff, B.; Finnilä, M.; Rieppo, L.; Saarakkala, S.
• Is Part Of: Osteoarthritis and cartilage open. Volume 4:Issue 2(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-06
• Subjects: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy -- Cartilage -- Osteoarthritis -- Arthroscopy; Osteoarthritis -- Periodicals; Cartilage -- Periodicals; 616.7223005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ocarto.2022.100250
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2665-9131

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) spectroscopy to detect cartilage degradation due to osteoarthritis and to validate the methodology with osteochondral human cartilage samples for future development towards clinical use. Design: Cylindrical ( d ​= ​4 ​mm) osteochondral samples ( n ​= ​349) were prepared from nine human cadavers and measured with FTIR-ATR spectroscopy. Afterwards, the samples were assessed with Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) osteoarthritis cartilage histopathology assessment system and divided into two groups: 1) healthy (OARSI 0–2) and 2) osteoarthritic (OARSI 2.5–6). The classification was done with partial least squares discriminant analysis model utilizing cross-model validation. Receiver operating characteristics curve analysis was performed and the area under curve (AUC) was calculated. Results: For all samples combined, classification accuracy was 73% with AUC of 0.79. Femoral samples had accuracy of 74% and AUC of 0.77, while tibial samples had accuracy of 66%, and AUC of 0.74. Patellar samples had accuracy of 84% and AUC of 0.91. Conclusions: The results indicate that FTIR-ATR spectroscopy can differentiate between healthy and osteoarthritic femoral, tibial and patellar human tissue. If combined with a fiber optic probe, FTIR-ATR spectroscopy could provide additional objective intraoperative information during arthroscopic surgeries, which could improve clinical outcomes.