Association of MIF in serum and synovial fluid with severity of knee osteoarthritis

ObjectiveRecent evidences suggest that inflammation contributes to the development and progression of osteoarthritis (OA). This study aims to determine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) levels in serum and synovial fluid (SF) of patients with knee OA and to analyze the association of MIF levels with the radiographic severity of OA.Design and methods224 patients with knee OA and 186 healthy controls were enrolled in this study.ResultsHigher levels of serum MIF were found in knee OA patients compared with healthy controls. Knee OA patients with Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) grade 4 showed significantly elevated MIF levels in serum and SF compared with those with KL grade 2 and 3. MIF levels in serum and SF of knee OA patients were significantly related to disease severity evaluated by KL grading criteria.ConclusionMIF levels in serum and SF were closely related to the radiographic severity of OA.