IDENTIFICATION OF THE SERUM BIOMARKERS FOR PROGRESSION OF KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS WITH PROTEOME ANALYSIS

Purpose: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent form of arthritis and is characterized by a gradual loss of cartilage matrix. Although OA can affect any synovial joint, OA in knee joints has the highest prevalence rate and greatest association with disability. Recently, the concept of early knee OA (EKOA), which targets the stage before radiological abnormalities occur, has been focused on. Validated biomarkers capable of reflecting the disease progression are crucial for the early diagnosis and deceleration of OA progression.