What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to explore the link between MRI diffusion tensor imaging parameters and muscle dysfunction in osteoporosis patients.

April 25, 2026Open Access

The Relationship Between Magnetic Resonance Diffusion Tensor Imaging Parameters and Muscle Dysfunction in Patients with Osteoporosis: A Cross-Sectional Retrospective Study

Key Points

The study aims to explore the link between MRI diffusion tensor imaging parameters and muscle dysfunction in osteoporosis patients.
Retrospective study involving 100 osteoporosis patients at Ninth Medical Center from January 2021 to January 2024.
Patients underwent DTI examination and were classified into poor and good muscle function groups based on Lovett grading.
Logistic regression and Pearson correlation analyses were performed to assess relationships between variables.
FA values in poor muscle function patients were significantly lower than in good muscle function patients (P<0.05).
ADC values for gracilis, adductor femoris, and long adductor femoris muscles were also lower in the poor group (all P<0.05).
AUC for combined FA and ADC was 0.722 (95% CI: 0.6239–0.821), indicating better predictive value than single parameters (P<0.05).

Abstract

Objective: To explore the relationship between magnetic resonance (MR) diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters and muscle dysfunction in patients with osteoporosis (OP), and provide a basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 100 patients with osteoporosis treated in Ninth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from January 2021 to January 2024. All patients underwent DTI examination and evaluated according to the Lovett muscle strength grading system (0– 5 levels). Patients with muscle strength grades 0– 3 were defined as the group with poor muscle function (n=31) and good muscle function (grades 4– 5, n=69). The affecting factors were analyzed through logistic regression model. Pearson model was used to analyze the correlation. Results: The fraction anisotropy (FA) values of the gluteus maximus, gracilis, rectus femoris, adductor femoris, and long adductor femoris in the poor group were all lower than the good group (all P< 0.05). The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of the gracilis muscle (1.02 ± 0.34 mm 2 /s vs 1.74 ± 0.41 mm 2 /s), adductor femoris muscle (1.07 ± 0.33 mm 2 /s vs 1.76 ± 0.38 mm 2 /s), and long adductor femoris muscle (1.04 ± 0.34 mm 2 /s vs 1.68 ± 0.34 mm 2 /s) were all lower than the good group (all P< 0.05). FA decrease and ADC increase in the adductor major and adductor longus muscles were independent factors affecting thigh muscle dysfunction (P< 0.05). The weakening of OP muscle function was positively correlated with the decrease of muscle FA and ADC (P< 0.05). The AUC predicted by the combination of FA and ADC was 0.722 (95% CI: 0.6239– 0.821), higher than those predicted by a single parameter (P< 0.05). Conclusion: There is a correlation between DTI parameters FA and ADC in different muscle parts and the occurrence of muscle dysfunction, and they have potential predictive value for muscle dysfunction in OP patients. Keywords: diffusion tensor imaging, magnetic resonance, osteoporosis, muscle microstructure, muscle function

Mark Helpful

Bookmark

Relay

View Full Paper