Abstract

BACKGROUND: Chemokines are involved in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). CCL18, a member of the chemokines family, is observed in synovial fluid (SF) of OA patients. The aim of this study was to determine the association between CCL18 levels in serum and SF with radiographic knee OA.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was conducted in a population of 308 patients with knee OA. The radiological knee OA was graded by the Kellgren-Lawrence grading system.

RESULTS: Serum levels of CCL18 in knee OA patients were markedly higher than those in healthy controls. Serum and SF levels of CCL18 increased with the severity of KL grades and were correlated with disease severity.

CONCLUSIONS: The CCL18 levels in serum and SF are correlated with the severity of OA.

Keywords: C-Reactive Protein - metabolism, Aged, 80 and over, Case-Control Studies, Chemokines, CC - blood, Osteoarthritis, Knee - radiography, Synovial Fluid - metabolism