Disease Severity In Knee Osteoarthritis Research Articles

β-crosslaps in knee osteoarthritis – assessment and rehabilitation

Abstract: The bone turnover is important for the progression of osteoarthritis. The C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, β-CrossLaps (β-CTx) is considered as the first-choice bone resorption markers. Today, the biochemical markers have been associated with pain and disease severity in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients. We studied the association between β-CTx and functional status in KOA patients, pre- and postrehabilitation program. The primary goals of our study are both to establish the correlation between the serum level of β-CTx and other parameters of clinical and functional status in KOA patients and to compare the CTX-I values before and after rehabilitation program. We respected the actual international management recommendations for KOA. A total of 130 patients were randomly allocated into two distinct groups: Study Group (SG = 90 patients) performed 10 sessions of complete rehabilitation program (magnetodiaflux, transcutaneous nerve stimulation, ultrasound and low intensity laser treatment, kinetic measures), and Control Group (CG = 40 patients) performed 10 sessions of kinetic program. Both programs were performed daily, 5 days/week, 2 weeks. Evaluation of patients was carried out in two stages - initial (T1) and after 3 months (T2). Comparing the initial values with the final ones for β-CTx, we noticed a high significant difference between initial and final values only in SG patients. For the both T1 and T2 moments, there was no a statistically significant difference between β-CTx values from the two groups. Analyzing the differences between the values of clinical parameters (Six Minutes Walking Test, Timed Up-and-Go test, walk cadence and Symmetry index in walk) obtained between the patients from the two groups, we noticed that, for the T2 moment, there was a statistically significant difference between studied parameters, except walk cadence. In the assessment of global KOA patient status (clinical and functional status in accordance with bone-cartilage interface dynamics), β-CTx has significant value and could be used for monitoring the individualized rehabilitation program.

Is There Any Correlation Between the Systemic Immune Inflammatory Index and Disease Severity in Knee Osteoarthritis?

Objective:The purpose of this study is to investigate the utility of systemic immune inflammation index as a predictor of disease severity in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: 200 patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis according to ACR knee osteoarthritis diagnostic criteria were included in the study. Kellgren-Lawrence staging of knee osteoarthritis, Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) index score and systemic immune-inflammation index score were calculated among all participants Results: There were 152 (%76) female and 48 (%24) male participants and median score of age was 63 (54,25-70). 14 (7%) grade 1 gonarthrosis, 64 (32%) grade 2, 72 (36%) grade 3 and 50 (25%) grade 4 gonarthrosis patients were detected. There was no significant correlation between the systemic immune-inflammation index and the radiological stage of gonarthrosis (Kellgren Lawrens Score) (p=0.238). No statistically significant correlation was found between the systemic immune-inflammation index and WOMAC scores (p=0.593). Conclusion: The systemic immune-inflammation index was not found to be correlated with disease severity in knee OA.

Efficacy of sCOMP and sCTX-I in Diagnosis of Knee Osteoarthritis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (sCOMP) and serum C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen (sCTX-I) in identifying disease severity in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) cases. A total of 150 individuals (100 cases and 50 controls) were recruited. They were assessed clinically and radiologically with WOMAC score and knee radiographsrespectively, while biochemical assessment was done by serum COMP and serum CTX-I level. There were significant differences in serum levels between healthy individuals and KOA patients of both, sCOMP (01.16 ± 0.39 vs 17.38 ± 4.99U/L; p = 0.01) and sCTX-I (0.35 ± 0.14 vs 4.59 ± 1.69; p = 0.02). There was a statistically significant difference between serum levels of CTX-I between K-L grade I and grade II (4.59 ± 1.69 vs 4.60 ± 1.17ng/mL; p = 0.03) but no significant difference was seen in the sCOMP levels between K-L grade I and grade II (14.60 ± 6.47 vs 17.47 ± 4.99U/L; p = 0.14). Our findings reveal that both sCOMP and sCTX-I are very effective in distinguishing between healthy adults and those affected by KOA. Only CTX-I was also able to distinguish between K-L grades I and II, while sCOMP failed. Further, use of these two biomarkers to differentiate between K-L grade II, III and IV is limited and lacks sufficient discriminating power, hence not recommended.

Associations between serum biomarkers of cartilage metabolism and serum hyaluronic acid, with risk factors, pain categories, and disease severity in knee osteoarthritis: a pilot study

BackgroundSpecific serum biomarkers of cartilage metabolism such as cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (sCOMP) and procollagen type II C-terminal propeptide (sPIICP) as well as hyaluronan (sHA), a biomarker of synovitis, have been implicated in the pathophysiology of knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, the associations of these biomarkers with the severity of the disease and OA risk factors, including age and obesity remain inconclusive. This analysis examines the associations between these serum biomarkers and the radiographic severity of OA and knee pain, as wells as obesity, the age and gender of the participants, and other OA risk factors.MethodsFrom 44 patients with early knee OA and 130 patients with late knee OA we analyzed the radiographic severity of the disease using the Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) grading system. Moreover, 38 overweight healthy individuals were used as a control group. Specific information was collected from all participants during their recruitment. The levels of the three serum biomarkers were quantified using commercially available ELISA kits. Serum biomarkers were analyzed for associations with the average KL scores and pain in both knees, as well as with specific OA risk factors.ResultsThe levels of sCOMP were elevated in patients with severe late OA and knee pain and correlated weakly with OA severity. A weakly correlation of sHA levels and OA severity OA was observed. We demonstrated that only sPIICP levels were markedly decreased in patients with late knee OA suggesting the alterations of cartilage metabolism in this arthritic disease. Moreover, we found that sPIICP has the strongest correlation with obesity and the severity of OA, as well as with the knee pain at rest and during walking regardless of the severity of the disease. ROC analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.980 (95% CI: 0.945–0.995; p < 0.0001), suggesting high diagnostic accuracy of sPIICP. Interestingly, gender and age had also an effect on the levels of sPIICP.ConclusionThis study revealed the potential of serum PIICP to be used as a biomarker to monitor the progression of knee OA, however, further studies are warranted to elucidate its clinical implication.

Association between Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin and Platelet Distribution Width Ratio and Knee Osteoarthritis Severity.

The goal was to simply and efficiently predict the indicators of disease severity in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients. One hundred eighty-four patients with KOA and 126 healthy subjects were included. WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index) was used as a reference index for disease severity in KOA patients, in which WOMAC < 80 was classified as mild and WOMAC ≥ 80 as moderate and severe. Blood routine parameters of the KOA and the healthy groups were analyzed by the Mann Whitney U test. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to analyze the sensitivity and specificity of mean corpuscular hemoglobin and platelet distribution width ratio (MPR) and monocyte and hemoglobin ratio (MHR) indicators. The correlation between MPR and MHR and disease severity of KOA was determined by bivariate regression analysis. Independent predictors of disease severity in patients with KOA were assessed by multivariate regression analysis. MPR, MHR, and WOMAC were significantly higher in the KOA group. The ROC curve indicated that the cutoff values of MPR and MHR were 2.09 and 0.0030, respectively, with sensitivity of 86.4% and 68.5% and specificity of 99.2% and 79.4%. Bivariate regression analysis found that MPR was better correlated with disease severity than MHR. The results of multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that the MPR values of moderate and severe patients were more than 19 times that of mild patients, and the OR values were 21.695 and 19.558, respectively. MPR and MHR demonstrated a good correlation with disease severity in patients with KOA. MPR is a potential independent predictor of disease severity in patients with KOA.

Relationship of Platelet Lymphocyte Ratio and Neutrophil Monocyte Ratio with Disease Severity of Knee Osteoarthritis

Relationship of Platelet Lymphocyte Ratio and Neutrophil Monocyte Ratio with Disease Severity of Knee Osteoarthritis

The Impact of Excluding Patients with End-Stage Knee Disease in Intra-Articular Hyaluronic Acid Trials: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

IntroductionThe Kellgren–Lawrence (K–L) grade is the most commonly used measure of radiographic disease severity in knee osteoarthritis (OA). Studies suggest that intra-articular hyaluronic acid (IA-HA) should only be considered in cases of early stage knee OA. The purpose of this review was to determine if trials administering IA-HA in early-moderate knee OA patients demonstrated greater pain relief than studies that also included patients with end-stage disease.MethodsWe conducted a systematic search of the literature to identify randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing IA-HA with saline injections and that diagnosed disease severity using the K–L grade criteria. The primary outcome was mean change in pain from baseline at 4–13 weeks and 22–27 weeks. Safety was evaluated on the total number of participants experiencing a treatment-related adverse event (AE).ResultsTwenty RCTs were included. In the early-moderate OA subgroup, the mean change in pain scores was statistically significant favoring IA-HA from baseline to 4–13 weeks [SMD = − 0.30, 95% CI − 0.44 to − 0.15, p < 0.0001] and within 22–27 weeks [SMD = − 0.27, 95% CI − 0.39 to − 0.16, p < 0.00001]. No significant differences were observed in the late OA subgroup. IA-HA was associated with a significantly greater risk of treatment-related AEs relative to saline in the late OA subgroup [RR = 1.76, 95% CI 1.16–2.67, p = 0.008].ConclusionIA-HA provides significant pain relief compared to saline for patients with early-moderate knee OA, compared to cohorts including patients with end-stage OA (KL grade 4), with no increase in the risk of treatment-related AEs, up to 6 months. Patients with end-stage disease had lower levels of pain relief and may be diluting study results if included in the treatment cohort.FundingFerring Pharmaceuticals.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s12325-018-0847-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Vascular endothelial growth factor and colour Doppler ultrasonography in knee osteoarthritis: Relation to pain and physical function

Aim of the workTo investigate the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in serum and synovial fluid of patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and to determine the relationship of VEGF levels with clinical manifestation, physical function, radiographic grading and ultrasonography (US) findings. Patients and methods45 patients with KOA and 15 matched control subjects were enrolled. Western Ontario McMaster Osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) was scored, knee X-rays assessed using Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) scale and superficial gray scale and colour Doppler US were done. Serum and synovial VEGF levels were analyzed. ResultsThe 45 patients mean age was 56.5 ± 11.2 years; 39 females and 6 males (F:M 6.5:1). 30 (66.7%) patients had bilateral symptomatic KOA. Knee effusion was mild in 4, moderate in 26 and severe in 21. The mean WOMAC score was 70.9 ± 10.7; pain (14.7 ± 3.4); stiffness (6.2 ± 1.4) and disability (49.2 ± 12.4). The serum VEGF level was 0.29 ± 1.02 pg/ml and the synovial 0.48 ± 0.1 pg/ml both significantly increased compared to the control (0.14 ± 0.7 pg/ml and 0.33 ± 0.1 respectively, p < 0.0001). Levels in grade 3 KL were significantly increased compared to those with grades 1 or 2 (p < 0.0001) and between colour Doppler US grades 1 and 2 (p < 0.0001). A strong correlation was present between serum and synovial VEGF with X-ray and colour Doppler US grading as well as the WOMAC index (p < 0.0001). ConclusionSerum and synovial VEGF correlated with clinical, functional, radiographic and US severity in KOA patients. Both VEGF and musculoskeletal ultrasound may serve as promising potential tools for evaluating disease severity in KOA.

Disability in underweight persons with or at higher risk for knee osteoarthritis

Disability in underweight persons with or at higher risk for knee osteoarthritis

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the CD40 gene associate with the disease susceptibility and severity in knee osteoarthritis in the Chinese Han population: a case-control study

BackgroundThis study explored the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CD40 gene, rs4810485 G > T and rs1883832 C > T, as well as disease susceptibility and severity in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in the Chinese Han population.MethodPeripheral venous blood was collected from 133 KOA patients (KOA group) and 143 healthy people (control group) from December 2012 to November 2013. The patients in the KOA group were classified into mild, moderate and severe groups according to disease severity. Polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to test the genotypes of all subjects. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to analyze the risk factors for KOA.ResultsThe KOA group was significantly different from the control group in living environment (P < 0.05). The KOA group had a lower frequency of TT genotype and T allele distribution of rs4810485 G > T compared with the control group, and rs4810485 G > T TT genotype and T allele may associate with low incidence of KOA (all P < 0.05). Besides, T allele and mutant homozygous TT genotype of rs1883832 C > T increased the susceptibility to KOA. Genotype and allele distribution of rs4810485 G > T and rs1883832 C > T were significantly different among the mild, moderate and severe groups (P < 0.05). There were more patients with rs4810485 G > T GG genotype and rs1883832 C > T TT genotype in the severe group than other genotypes of these two SNPs. According to binary logistic regression analysis, rs4810485 G > T TT genotype could alleviate disease severity in KOA, rs1883832 C > T TT genotype increase the severity of KOA and living environment is an important external factor that affects KOA severity.ConclusionsThese data provide evidences that rs4810485 G > T and rs1883832 C > T in the CD40 gene may be associated with disease susceptibility and severity in KOA.

Depressive symptoms and structural disease progression in knee osteoarthritis: data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative.

Depressive symptoms are associated with increases in pain and functional limitations in knee osteoarthritis (OA). The aim was to determine whether depressive symptoms are also associated with greater structural knee OA progression. Four years of annual radiographic and clinical assessments from the Osteoarthritis Initiative were analyzed. The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale was used to identify depressive symptoms (threshold=≥16) at the baseline visit. Propensity scores were used to match participants with and without baseline depressive symptoms on multiple potential confounders. Assessment of radiographic knee OA was based on changes in individual radiographic features, which included osteophyte (OST) grade and joint space narrowing (JSN) grade. Mixed effect models were used to examine structural progression between depressed and non-depressed participants with definitive radiographic knee OA. Depressive symptoms were significantly associated with a higher risk of OST progression (odds ratio [OR]=1.74; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01, 3.00) and a non-significant lower risk of JSN progression (OR=0.40; 95% CI: 0.14, 1.15) 1year after baseline. Conversely, there was a non-significant lower risk of OST progression (OR=0.71; 95% CI: 0.28, 1.79) and higher risk of JSN progression (OR=1.89; 95% CI: 0.71, 5.06) from year 3 to year 4 of follow-up. However, the patterns of OST progression and JSN progression were not significantly different between the depressed and non-depressed (P=0.25 and 0.15, respectively). The findings provide no evidence that depressive symptoms have a detectable effect on changes in radiographic disease severity in knee OA.

Expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in synovial fluid and articular cartilage is associated with disease severity in knee osteoarthritis.

The aim of the present study was to examine hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) levels in the synovial fluid and articular cartilage of patients with primary knee osteoarthritis (OA) and to investigate their association with the severity of disease. A total of 36 patients with knee OA and ten healthy controls were enrolled. Anteroposterior knee radiographs and/or Mankin scores were assessed to determine the disease severity of the affected knee. Radiographic grading of OA in the knee was performed according to Kellgren-Lawrence criteria. HIF-1α levels in synovial fluid were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, whereas HIF-1α levels in articular cartilage were assessed with immunohistochemical methods. Compared with healthy controls, OA patients exhibited an increased HIF-1α concentration in synovial fluid (218.17±25.12 vs. 156.66±7.74 pg/ml; P<0.001) and articular cartilage (P<0.05). Furthermore, synovial fluid HIF-1α levels demonstrated a positive correlation with articular cartilage HIF-1α levels (Pearson's P=0.815; P<0.001). Subsequent analysis showed that synovial fluid HIF-1α levels were significantly correlated with the severity of disease (Spearman's ρ=0.933; P<0.001). Furthermore, articular cartilage levels of HIF-1α also correlated with disease severity (Spearman's ρ=−0.967; P<0.001). The findings of the present study suggested that HIF-1α in synovial fluid and articular cartilage is associated with progressive joint damage and is likely to be a useful biomarker for determining disease severity and progression in knee OA.

Depressive symptoms and structural disease progression in knee osteoarthritis: Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative

Depressive symptoms are associated with increases in pain and functional limitations in knee osteoarthritis (OA). The aim was to determine whether depressive symptoms are also associated with greater structural knee OA progression. Four years of annual radiographic and clinical assessments from the Osteoarthritis Initiative were analyzed. The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale was used to identify depressive symptoms (threshold = ≥16) at the baseline visit. Propensity scores were used to match participants with and without baseline depressive symptoms on multiple potential confounders. Assessment of radiographic knee OA was based on changes in individual radiographic features, which included osteophyte (OST) grade and joint space narrowing (JSN) grade. Mixed effect models were used to examine structural progression between depressed and non-depressed participants with definitive radiographic knee OA. Depressive symptoms were significantly associated with a higher risk of OST progression (odds ratio [OR] = 1.74; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01, 3.00) and a non-significant lower risk of JSN progression (OR = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.14, 1.15) 1 year after baseline. Conversely, there was a non-significant lower risk of OST progression (OR = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.28, 1.79) and higher risk of JSN progression (OR = 1.89; 95% CI: 0.71, 5.06) from year 3 to year 4 of follow-up. However, the patterns of OST progression and JSN progression were not significantly different between the depressed and non-depressed (P = 0.25 and 0.15, respectively). The findings provide no evidence that depressive symptoms have a detectable effect on changes in radiographic disease severity in knee OA.

Muscle Power Is an Independent Determinant of Pain and Quality of Life in Knee Osteoarthritis.

This study examined the relationships between leg muscle strength, power, and perceived disease severity in subjects with knee osteoarthritis (OA) in order to determine whether dynamic leg extensor muscle power would be associated with pain and quality of life in knee OA. Baseline data on 190 subjects with knee OA (mean ± SD age 60.2 ± 10.4 years, body mass index 32.7 ± 7.2 kg/m(2) ) were obtained from a randomized controlled trial. Knee pain was measured using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, and health-related quality of life was assessed using the Short Form 36 (SF-36). One-repetition maximum (1RM) strength was assessed using the bilateral leg press, and peak muscle power was measured during 5 maximum voluntary velocity repetitions at 40% and 70% of 1RM. In univariate analysis, greater muscle power was significantly associated with pain (r = -0.17, P < 0.02) and also significantly and positively associated with SF-36 physical component summary (PCS) scores (r = 0.16, P < 0.05). After adjustment for multiple covariates, muscle power was a significant independent predictor of pain (P ≤ 0.05) and PCS scores (P ≤ 0.04). However, muscle strength was not an independent determinant of pain or quality of life (P ≥ 0.06). Muscle power is an independent determinant of pain and quality of life in knee OA. Compared to strength, muscle power may be a more clinically important measure of muscle function within this population. New trials to systematically examine the impact of muscle power training interventions on disease severity in knee OA are particularly warranted.

Adiponectin: is it a biomarker for assessing the disease severity in knee osteoarthritis patients?

The results of previous studies regarding the role of adiponectin in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) are controversial. The aim of this study is to investigate the relation of plasma adiponectin levels with clinical and radiological disease severity in knee OA patients. Sixty patients with knee OA and 25 healthy controls were included in the study. Patients were divided into two subgroups: lean (Group 1, n = 30) and obese (Group 2, n = 30). Healthy controls were accepted as Group 3 (n = 25). Pain intensity was measured with a visual analogue scale (VAS), functional disability with Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Quality of Life (QoL) with Short Form-36 (SF-36). Also all patients were radiologically evaluated and graded according to Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) scale. Plasma concentrations of adiponectin levels were measured by enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA). Serum adiponectin levels were higher in OA patient subgroups than those in the control group but the difference did not reach a significant level after adjustments for age, gender and body mass index (P = 0.078). There was a positive correlation between adiponectin concentration and KL grading scores. Additionally, there was a positive correlation between adiponectin levels and clinical variables (VAS and WOMAC total scores) in patient subgroups (r = 0.326 P = 0.012, r = 0.583 P < 0.001, respectively). SF-36 scores were inversely associated with adiponectin levels. Plasma adiponectin concentrations were associated with both clinical and radiological disease severity in knee OA patients. Thus, adiponectin hormone might be a potential clinically useful biomarker while assessing disease severity in the future.

Correlation of bone morphogenetic protein-2 levels in serum and synovial fluid with disease severity of knee osteoarthritis.

BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) levels in serum and synovial fluid (SF) of patients with primary knee osteoarthritis (OA) and to exam its correlation with radiographic and symptomatic severity of the disease.Material/MethodsA total of 37 knee OA patients and 20 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Knee OA radiographic grading was performed according to the Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grading system by evaluating X-ray changes observed in anteroposterior knee radiography. Symptomatic severity of the disease was evaluated according to the Western Ontario McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores. BMP-2 levels in serum and SF were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsSerum BMP-2 level in patients with knee OA was higher than that in healthy controls. Knee OA patients with KL grade 4 showed significantly elevated BMP-2 levels in the serum and SF compared with those with KL grade 2 and 3. Knee OA patients with KL grade 3 had significant higher SF levels of BMP-2 than those with KL grade 2. BMP-2 levels in the serum and SF of knee OA patients were both positively correlated with KL grades and WOMAC scores.ConclusionsBMP2 levels in serum and SF were closely related to the radiographic and symptomatic severity of knee OA and may serve as an alternative biochemical parameter to determine disease severity of primary knee OA.

Plasma and synovial osteopontin levels, are they associated with disease severity of primary knee osteoarthritis in Egyptian patients?

Aim of the workThe aim of this study was to examine osteopontin (OPN) levels in both plasma and synovial fluid of patients with primary knee osteoarthritis (OA) and to investigate their relationship with severity of the disease. Patients and methodsFifty patients with primary knee OA were compared to twenty-five apparently healthy controls. OPN levels in plasma and synovial fluid were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Severity of knee pain was assessed by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index. Radiographic grading of knee OA was performed by Kellgren–Lawrence criteria. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was also performed on painful knees. ResultsPlasma OPN was higher in patients (159.65±28.56ng/ml) than controls (90.45±23.63ng/ml). OPN in plasma and synovial fluid was correlated with severity of knee pain (r=0.878, r=0.795, P<0.001). Cartilage loss, marginal osteophytes and subchondral bone cyst were the commonest MRI findings in knee OA. MRI detected also patients with early knee OA that were not detected by plain radiography. ConclusionOPN serves as a biochemical marker of disease severity in knee OA. It also could be predictive to the progression of disease.

Expression of CD44 in articular cartilage is associated with disease severity in knee osteoarthritis

Objectives To investigate CD44 levels in articular cartilage of knee osteoarthritis (OA) and the relationship between CD44 and severity of the disease.Methods All 50 cartilage tissues included normal and OA cartilage, and were ascribed to the following four groups on the basis of modified Mankin score: normal, mild lesions, moderate lesions and severe lesions. CD44 levels in articular cartilage were assessed by immunohistochemical methods.Results CD44 levels were detected in all four groups. The difference in average gray value of CD44 expression showed statistical significance when compared between each group (P < 0.05). In addition, CD44 expression in each group correlated with disease severity, according to the modified Mankin score (ρ = −0.848, P < 0.01).Conclusions CD44 in articular cartilage is associated with progressive knee OA joint damage.

SAT0330 Sclerostin concentrations in plasma and synovial fluid inversely correlate with disease severity in knee osteoarthritis

BackgroundOsteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by the progressive destruction of articular cartilage with joint space narrowing and osteophyte formation (1). Although the etiology and pathogenesis of OA remain poorly understood, recent...

Expression of CD44 in articular cartilage is associated with disease severity in knee osteoarthritis

To investigate CD44 levels in articular cartilage of knee osteoarthritis (OA) and the relationship between CD44 and severity of the disease. All 50 cartilage tissues included normal and OA cartilage, and were ascribed to the following four groups on the basis of modified Mankin score: normal, mild lesions, moderate lesions and severe lesions. CD44 levels in articular cartilage were assessed by immunohistochemical methods. CD44 levels were detected in all four groups. The difference in average gray value of CD44 expression showed statistical significance when compared between each group (P < 0.05). In addition, CD44 expression in each group correlated with disease severity, according to the modified Mankin score (ρ = -0.848, P < 0.01). CD44 in articular cartilage is associated with progressive knee OA joint damage.