Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026
Synovial Fluid Analysis to Identify Osteoarthritis
Published on: October 20, 2022
Correlation between plasma and synovial fluid basic fibroblast growth factor with radiographic severity in primary
Sittisak Honsawek1, Pongsak Yuktanandana, Aree Tanavalee
1Department of Biochemistry and Orthopaedics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Rama IV road, Patumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand. Sittisak.H@chula.ac.th
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to investigate plasma and synovial fluid basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) levels in patients with primary knee osteoarthritis (OA) and to evaluate the correlation between bFGF levels and disease severity.
Methods:
Thirty-five patients with knee OA and 15 healthy individuals were recruited into this study. Knee OA grading was performed according to the Kellgren-Lawrence classification. bFGF concentrations in both plasma and synovial fluid were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results:
Plasma and synovial fluid bFGF levels in knee OA patients were significantly higher than in controls (P < 0.001). Moreover, plasma and synovial fluid bFGF concentrations were positively correlated with radiographic severity (r = 0.535, P < 0.001 and r = 0.570, P < 0.001, respectively). Further analysis revealed that there was a positive correlation between plasma and synovial fluid bFGF levels (r = 0.674, P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
Plasma and synovial fluid bFGF levels were significantly increased in OA patients, and these elevated levels were positively correlated with radiographic severity. 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.