Deep Learning-Derived MRI Morphotype Probabilities Distinguish Intermittent from Constant Pain in Knee Osteoarthritis

In knee OA, hypertrophic MRI morphotype probability best distinguished intermittent from constant pain (AUC 0.73, 95% CI not reported). Inflammatory morphotype associated with all pain subtypes. Cross-sectional study, modest discrimination.

• Cross-sectional analysis of 6631 knees from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (48-month visit) using deep learning to derive four MRI structural morphotype probabilities.
• Bone morphotype probability AUC 0.70 for intermittent pain; meniscus/cartilage morphotype associated with intermittent and combined pain; inflammatory morphotype linked to all pain subgroups.
• Limitation: Cross-sectional design precludes causal inference; single timepoint, modest AUCs, and derived from the OAI cohort without external validation.

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