Plasma Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) profile and the association with synovial inflammation in knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Background Recent update of osteoarthritis (OA) pathophysiology is affected by inflammatory process of the synovium, which in turn plays the role in prevention of disease progression. It is believed that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an essential growth factor for vascular endothelial cells, is engaged in synovial inflammatory process that occurs in knee OA, but the association between circulating VEGF levels with synovial inflammation in knee OA is not well known.Purpose: Identification of plasma VEGF profile and its association with synovial inflammation in knee OA patients.Method: Consecutive cross-sectional study of primary knee OA patients with or without synovial inflammation. All research materials from history taking, physical examination, to imaging analysis such as ultrasound as well as measurement of plasma VEGF levels using ELISA were done and analysed using T-test, Spearman correlation test, Pearson correlation test, and multiple linear regression analysis (p= 0.05).Result: There was significant increase of circulating plasma VEGF level in knee OA patients with synovial inflammation (p<0.05). Synovial inflammation was proven associated with high level of plasma VEGF level and influenced by overweight and degree of knee OA variable (p<0.05), but did not associate with existence of OA in other joints, accept OA therapy, hyperuricemia nor DM (p>0.05).Conclusion Plasma VEGF levels are higher in knee OA with synovial inflammation, and there is an association between high plasma VEGF levels with the occurrence of synovial inflammation in knee OA.