Objective:
The identification of early-stage osteoarthritis (OA) is crucial
for the deceleration of its progression; however, no reliable biomarker
is available for this purpose. The current study aimed to determine the
role of serum calprotectin in the detection of early-stage knee OA.
Design:
In a case-control study, serum samples were collected from 84
patients with primary bilateral knee OA and 52 healthy controls. The
radiographic grading of knee OA was performed using the
Kellgren-Lawrence classification system. Serum concentrations of
calprotectin were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results:
The mean serum calprotectin level was 2908 ± 2516 ng/mL in OA patients and 901 ± 875 ng/mL in healthy control subjects (P
< 0.001). Mean serum calprotectin levels were significantly higher
in the lower stages of OA: 3740 ± 2728 ng/mL in OA grade I, 3100 ± 2084
ng/mL in OA grade II, 2246 ± 1418 ng/mL in OA grade III, and 2035 ± 765
ng/mL in OA grade IV (P = 0.047). Serum calprotectin levels were
significantly higher in patients with a disease duration <42 months
compared with those with a disease duration >42 months (P = 0.043).
Conclusion:
Serum calprotectin level increases significantly in the early
stages of OA and shows a reverse association with disease severity.
Therefore, it could be suggested as a promising blood-based marker for
early-stage knee OA.
