No Cover Image

Journal article 35 views

Inflammatory markers in early knee joint osteoarthritis differ from well-matched controls and are associated with consistent, rather than intermittent knee pain

Shane Heffernan Orcid Logo, Gill Conway Orcid Logo, Conor McCarthy, Stephen Eustace, Mark Waldron Orcid Logo, Giuseppe De Vito, Eamonn Delahunt

The Knee

Swansea University Authors: Shane Heffernan Orcid Logo, Gill Conway Orcid Logo, Mark Waldron Orcid Logo

Abstract

BackgroundOsteoarthritis (OA) is characterised by the failure of normal biological processes to repair following damage. Traditionally, OA was considered a “wear and tear” disorder; however, it is now a recognised inflammatory condition, preceded by molecular modifications. The aim of this study was...

Full description

Published in: The Knee
Published:
URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa67729
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Abstract: BackgroundOsteoarthritis (OA) is characterised by the failure of normal biological processes to repair following damage. Traditionally, OA was considered a “wear and tear” disorder; however, it is now a recognised inflammatory condition, preceded by molecular modifications. The aim of this study was to evaluate inflammatory markers among individuals with early knee OA (eKOA) and well-matched asymptomatic controls.MethodsTwenty six eKOA (females, n = 13; age = 60.2±5.4yrs, height = 1.73±0.11m, body mass = 77.8±12.8kg, body fat = 33.9±8.5%) and twenty-three asymptomatic individuals (females, n = 14; age = 59.9±5.5yrs, height = 1.71±0.09m, body mass = 72.6±11.3kg, body fat = 30.4±8.2%) were recruited. The Timed Up and Go, and the 6 Minute Walk Tests evaluated physical function in addition to pain specific questionnaires (KOOS and ICOAP). Serum levels of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8(CXCL8), IL-10, hsCRP and TNF-α were quantified using a multiplex assay via V-plex®Sector Imager 2400.ResultsAs hypothesised, only KOOS and EQ-5D-5L metrics differed between the groups for non-blood derived measures (p < 0.04). Only IL-6 was higher in eKOA (P=0.02; 95% CI = 0.202; by 0.197 pg/mL; 34.5%). Among eKOA, IL-6 did not relate to severity of KOOS pain (P=0.696, r=-0.088), but had a positive relationship with ICOAP consistent (r=0.469, P=0.045) rather than intermittent pain. There was a moderate correlation between 6MWD and IL-8 (r=0.471, P=0.012).ConclusionOur results illustrate the potential for IL-6 as a biomarker for eKOA, and introduce the proposition for particular consideration in those with consistent pain. Further, for the first time the present data showed greater walking distance in eKOA with lower circulating IL-8. Future work should seek to verify these results and further investigate IL-6 and IL-8 related molecular pathways in eKOA, and their potential relationships with consistent knee pain and physical function.
College: Faculty of Science and Engineering
Funders: This research was partly funded by Marigot Ltd Strand Farm House, Curraghbinny, Carrigaline, Co. Cork, Ireland (Grant number V1253) via University College Dublin (UCD) and institutionally via Swansea University, Applied Sports Science Technology and Medicine Research Centre (A-STEM).

Similar Items