الفهرس 
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Abstract
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease characterized by cartilage
damage, osteophyte formation, sclerosis of articular surface and stenosis
of articular cartilage space. It is the most common type of arthritis;
affecting an estimated 27 million adults aged 25 years and older all over
the world.
Cartilage osteoarthritic changes indicate that factors related to
extracellular matrix turnover are crucial for osteoarthritis beginning and
progression. Identification of serum markers that could point toward more
severe cases would be of great clinical value.
The main symptom is pain, causing loss of ability and often stiffness.
Pain is generally described as a sharp ache in the associated muscles and
tendons.
There are two types of OA (primary and secondary). Primary OA is
generally associated with aging and stresses of life. Secondary OA, in
contrast, tends to develop relatively early in life, approximately 10 years
or more after a specific cause.
Transforming growth factor beta is a protein that controls
proliferation, cellular differentiation, and other functions in most cells. It
is a type of proteins which plays a role in immunity, cancer, bronchial
asthma, lung fibrosis, heart disease, diabetes, Marfan syndrome,
Parkinson’s disease and acute immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Transforming growth factor beta exists in at least three isoforms
called TGF β1, 2 and 3. It holds an important role in all anatomic location
that constitutes a joint. TGF β is involved in cartilage maintenance and
repair; it also induces fibrosis in synovial membrane. Moreover it is
strongly related to osteophyte formation, the hallmark of OA.
The goal of the present study is to assess serum level of TGFβ2 in
patients with primary OA compared to controls and correlate it with
radiographic grading of knee OA severity according to Kellegren-
Lawrence radiographic grading scale.
This study included 90 subjects; 10 males and 80 females, their
ages ranged between 26-70 years. They were divided into two groups,
group I (osteoarthritic patients group) included 72 patients with primary
OA and group II (control group) included 18 apparently healthy subjects.
Patients with secondary OA, autoimmune diseases and systemic
inflammatory disease were excluded.
All participants were subjected to the following:
Thorough history taking, clinical examination and
assessment of (weight, height and BMI).
Plain X-ray on the affected joints and radiographic grading
of knee OA according to Kellegren- Lawrence scale.
Laboratory investigations which included: assay of serum
TGFβ2 by ELISA and estimation of ESR.
- Results of the study:
The studied groups were well matched regarding ages and
gender.
The mean weight and BMI was statistically significantly
higher in patients than controls.
The mean ESR was statistically significantly higher in
patients than controls.
The mean serum TGFB2 was statistically significantly
higher in patients than controls.
There was significant positive correlation between serum
TGFβ2 and Kellegren- Lawrence radiographic grading in
patients with knee OA.
There was significant positive correlation between serum
TGFβ2 on one hand and age, weight and BMI on the other
hand in patient group.
There was no significant positive correlation between serum
TGFβ2 and ESR in patient group.