Biochemical markers reflecting joint remodeling in osteoarthritis (OA) are a promising diagnostic tool. The aim of this study was to investigate serum levels of candidate biomarkers in subjects with and without knee OA and assess their correlation with clinical parameters and knee structural damage. 56 patients with primary knee OA and 31 healthy controls participated in this study. Patients were separated into two groups: isolated knee OA and generalized OA. Clinical parameters were obtained by validated self-reported questionnaires and a visual analogue scale. Serum levels of cartilage oligomeric protein (COMP), matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), and Coll2-1 were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Knee structural damage was determined by plain X-ray and 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), using Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grading scale and Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score (WORMS), respectively. Compared to controls, patients had significantly higher median serum COMP (985 vs. 625 ng/ml; p < 0.001) and MMP-3 (36.85 vs. 22.10 ng/ml; p = 0.003) levels. Patients with radiographic evidence of KLII/III knee OA had greater median COMP levels than KLI patients (1095 vs. 720 ng/ml; p = 0.001). In the generalized OA group, mean MMP-3 levels were higher than in the isolated knee OA group (30.40 vs. 55.13 ng/ml; p < 0.001). COMP correlated positively with WORMS (r s = 0.454, p < 0.001) and MMP-3 (r s = 0.337, p = 0.003). Cut-off values for serum COMP and MMP-3 were determined. We observed higher serum COMP and MMP-3 levels in knee OA patients compared to controls. COMP may reflect knee structural damage, while MMP-3-OA "generalization".
Keywords: Biomarkers; Knee; Magnetic resonance imaging; Osteoarthritis; Radiography.