Evaluation of plasma basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in primary knee osteoarthritis patients

Aim of the work: The aim of this study was to investigate plasma basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) levels in patients with primary knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and to correlate it with physical performance, functional status and radiological severity. Patients and methods: Sixty patients with primary KOA and 30 healthy individuals were recruited into this study. Measures of physical performance were assessed using Chair Stand Test, Stair Climb Test and Six-Minute Walk Test. Functional assessment was carried out using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) index. KOA severity was determined using X-ray evaluated according to the Kellgren–Lawrence (KL) grading and all underwent sonographic examination. bFGF concentrations in plasma were determined. Results: The mean age of the KOA patients was 53.67 ± 7.99 years, female:male 4:1 and disease duration of 4.17 ± 1.74 years. KOA was bilateral in 71.7% and knee effusion was present in 20.39%. The WOMAC index was 53.78 ± 13.7. Plasma bFGF levels in KOA patients (43.82 ± 20.18 pg/ml) were significantly higher than in controls (12.40 ± 9.12 pg/ml) (p <  0.001). bFGF significantly correlated the KL radiographic grading (r = 0.31, p < 0.027) and negatively with cartilage thickness of medial and lateral femoral condyles (r = −0.38, p <  0.006). Conclusions: Plasma bFGF levels were significantly increased in OA patients, and these elevated levels were significantly correlated with the degree of radiographic severity evaluated by KL grading scale and cartilage degeneration evaluated by ultrasound. These findings indicate that bFGF levels may be a monitor of disease severity and could play an essential part in the pathophysiology of degenerative process in OA