Objective
The purpose of this study was to investigate the serum and synovial IGF-I levels in 30 patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and the relationships among the IGF-I level, pain intensity and severity of knee OA. Method: Thirty patients who met criteria of knee OA of American Rheumatology Association participated in this study. Samples of serum and synovial fluid were obtained from all patients. The levels of IGF-I were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The intensity of pain was assessed by Pain Rating Score (PRS) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The severity of knee OA was evaluated by Kellgren's grade of knee OA. Results: The mean serum and synovial IGF-I level was 231.66±86.15 ng/ml and 122.42±37.79 ng/ml, respectively. There was no correlation between pain intensity and IGF-I levels. Neither was there statistically significant correlation between Kellgren's grade and IGF-I levels. Conclusion: The serum and synovial IGF-I levels were not related with pain intensity and severity of knee OA. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2005; 29: 87-91)
