Uncoupling of type II collagen synthesis and degradation predicts progression of joint damage in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Patients with knee OA are characterized by an uncoupling of type II collagen synthesis and degradation which can be detected by assays for serum PIIANP and urinary CTX-II. The combination of these two new markers could be useful for identifying knee OA patients at high risk for rapid progression of joint damage.