Cartilage Degradation Biomarkers Are Elevated in Younger Adults with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

ÖZ Objective: Little is known regarding the altered cartilage composition in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Biomarkers can identify early stages of cartilage damage before the overt morphological changes develop. We investigated cartilage degradation biomarkers in order to reveal cartilage damage in patellofemoral pain syndrome. Method: Serum samples of twenty patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome and twenty healthy control subjects obtained and four different assays were used: Serum levels of C-terminal cross-linked telopetides of type-II collagen (sCTX-II), cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (sCOMP), Collagen Type II- specific neopeptide (sC2M) and Chondroitin sulfate epitope 846 (sCS846). Pain status and functional status were assessed with VAS, The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), Kujala patellofemoral scoring system (PFSS) and timed up and go test (TUG). Results: Significant increases in serum cartilage degradation biomarkers except sCTX-II were observed in patellofemoral pain syndrome. In correlation analysis, there were not any significant association between pain scores, functional status and biomarker levels except, a reverse relationship between sC2M levels and the TUG scores. Conclusion: Higher levels of cartilage degradation markers revealed ongoing cartilage destruction in patients who suffer patellofemoral pain syndrome and reflect altered cartilage composition in these patients.