Abstract

Introduction: The role of inflammation in osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis is unclear. Proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) play important roles in immune responses and bone metabolism. TNF-α and IL-6 enhance macrophage activation and antigen presentation and regulate immunity through different mechanisms. Hence, we aimed to study the immunological markers in knee osteoarthritis patients. Methodology: In the present case-control study, 100 KOA cases and 100 healthy were enrolled as per inclusionexclusion criteria. Patient data, including age, sex, Kellgren–Lawrence (KL) score, and level of immunological markers (IL-6 and TNF-alpha), were recorded and compared. Results: The mean age in both cases [56.78±9.61] and the control group [55.37±8.42] were comparable. Males outnumbered females in both groups. The majority of patients were of OA Grade II (56%). IL-6 was higher in the case group [3.62±1.00] compared to the control group [1.66±0.67]. So was the level of TNF-alpha. At a cut-off of 2.900, the sensitivity of IL-6 was recorded as 95.00%, and the specificity was 73.00%. On the other hand, at a cutoff of 4.90, the sensitivity was recorded as 100.00%, and the specificity was 98.00%, which was more than IL-6. A significant positive correlation was noted between OA grade vs IL-6 [p<0.0001*; r=0.7091] and OA grade vs. TNF-α [p<0.0001*; r=0.8127]

Description

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