Genetic markers for predicting the development and progression of knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

femur, distant from the subchondral bone, on plain radiographs, with Knee Images Digital Analysis, using an aluminium step wedge as reference. To allow for adjustment for concurrent radiographic knee and hip OA, the patellofemoral and tibiofemoral knee compartments and hips were scored for joint space narrowing, osteophytes, and subchondral sclerosis according to Altman and Burnett. Results: The majority of subjects did show no or only minimal features of radiographic knee and hip OA. After adjustment for demographic variables (i.e. age, gender, and body mass index) and radiographic knee and hip OA features, bone marker as well as uCTX-II levels, but not the other cartilage markers, showed associations with peripheral bone density (standardized betas1⁄40.103 to 0.183; P1⁄40.003 to 0.027). Conclusions: This study warrants more cautious interpretation of CTXII as marker of (only) cartilage damage, since our data confirm the notion that CTX-II may also originate from peripheral bone changes.