PATTERNS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF KNEE JOINT ABNORMALITIES DETECTED BY KNEE MRI IN PATIENTS EVALUATED AT ST PAUL'S MILLENNIUM MEDICAL COLLEGE, ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA: A ONE YEAR RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged as an invaluable tool for accurately visualizing and detecting knee joint abnormalities such as ligament tears, meniscal tears, cartilage defects, osteoarthritis, tendinopathies, and joint effusions. However, there is a paucity of data regarding the patterns and prevalence of knee joint abnormalities detected by MRI among patients at St. Paul's Millennium Medical College in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Objective: To investigate the patterns and associated factors of knee joint abnormalities detected by MRI among patients evaluated at St. Paul's Millennium Medical College. Method: Hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted. The study populations comprised patients referred for knee Magnetic Resonance Imaging during the study period who meet the inclusion criteria. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the 204 patients. Data was collected by reviewing patient charts, MRI images, and reports using data extraction tool. Findings were analyzed using SPSS version 27 software to determine the pattern of abnormalities, assess associated demographic/clinical factors, evaluate distribution patterns in anatomical structures, and investigate influences of concomitant abnormalities. Result: A total of 204 patients were included in the study of which 113 (55.4%) were males and 91 (44.6%) were females. In this study, 177 (86.8%) had a knee joint abnormality detected by MRI. Age <30 years (AOR=0.219 95%CI=0.064-0.742), History of trauma (AOR=4.351 95%CI=1.58-12.009), and Identified comorbidity (AOR=2.175 95% CI=1.042-7.632) were significantly associated with knee joint abnormality detected by Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Conclusion and recommendation: Age, history of trauma, and presence of identified comorbidities were major predictors of knee joint abnormalities. From those who have ligament abnormality ACL tear was the most common in our study. Joint effusion was the most common abnormality detected by MRI followed by cartilage abnormality, osteophyte, and subchondral cyst. We advise hospitals to create clear procedures to make justified use of these costly and scarce resources. Key words: Magnetic resonance imaging, knee joint abnormalities, Ethiopia