Correlation of serum hyaluronic acid with clinical and radiological severity in primary knee osteoarthritis

Objective: To investigate relationship between serum hyaluronic acid (sHA) level and the presence and severity of radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA) as well as degree of knee pain. Design: A total of 150 subjects (75 controls and 75 cases) were enrolled in this study. Based on the Kellgrene Lawrence (K-L) grade, participants were radiographically classified into three groups: mild (K-L grade1 & 2), moderate ( K-L grade 3) and severe (K-L grade 4). The degree of knee pain was quantified by WOMAC knee pain score. sHA levels were compared among the controls & cases and with radiological grading. In addition, the correlation between sHA level and the degree of knee pain was analyzed in each group. Results: In relationship between sHA level and the severity of radiographic knee OA, sHA level of the case group was significantly higher than in the normal group (P