BACKGROUND: Adrenomedullin, a recently identified myokine, has an anti-inflammatory effect. Therefore, we aimed to assess the correlation of adrenomedullin concentrations with the presence and grade of severity of knee osteoarthritis (OA).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We recruited 187 knee OA patients and 109 healthy subjects. The severity of OA was evaluated using the Kellgren-Lawrence grading system.

RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the knee OA group revealed markedly higher adrenomedullin concentrations. Serum and synovial fluid (SF) adrenomedullin concentrations increased with increased KL grades.

CONCLUSIONS: Serum and SF adrenomedullin concentrations show a correlation with the severity of knee OA.

Keywords: Biomarkers - metabolism, Adrenomedullin - metabolism, Case-Control Studies, Cross-Sectional Studies, Osteoarthritis, Knee - pathology, Severity of Illness Index, Synovial Fluid - metabolism