Radiographic and clinical correlation of serum calcitonin gene-related peptide level in patients with primary KNEE osteoarthritis

Introduction: Osteoarthritis is a common joint disease and most commonly affects the knee. Its incidence increases with age and causes significant morbidity in the second half of life. Today, osteoarthritis is considered to be a multifactorial process with low-grade chronic inflammation. The aim of the study: To examine the relationship between serum calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) levels, radiographic stage of osteoarthritis and activities of daily living in patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis clinically and radiologically. Materials and Methods: 72 patients diagnosed with primary knee osteoarthritis who applied to Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation outpatient clinic were included in the study. The age, gender, weight, height, educational status, occupation, comorbidities and medications of the patients were recorded. Knee osteoarthritis was evaluated by anamnesis, physical examination and direct knee X-ray. One tube of biochemistry blood was taken from the people included in the study to check the serum CGRP value. WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index) scale was questioned to evaluate the effect of pain on functional states. Results: 73 people were included in our study and 37 of them were selected from OA patients and 36 from healthy people. Patients; There were 14 (37.89%) male, 23 (62.2%) female, 10 (27.8%) male and 26 (72.2%) female controls. no statistically significant difference was observed in terms of distribution (P=0.360). The mean age of the patients and controls was 61.73±7.298 and 45.58±6.185, respectively. Considering the knee radiographic stages of 37 patients, 2 (5.4%) were stage 1, 5 (13.5%) were stage 2, 15 (40.5%) were stage 3 and 15 (40.5%) were it was stage 4. While the mean CGRP value of the patients was 43.43, it was found to be 30.39 ng/ml in the controls. Conclusion: CGRP levels in the osteoarthritis group were statistically significantly higher when compared to the control group (p<0.05). However, further studies with larger sample groups are needed for the diagnosis and prognostic value of OA related to CGRP. Keywords: CGRP, Knee, Osteoarthritis.