Tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease-1 (TIMP-1) serum level may predict progression of hip osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the predictive value of serum levels of TIMP-1 and hyaluronic acid in a 1 year prospective study in hip osteoarthritis (OA).

METHODS

Twenty-nine patients with OA of the hip were enrolled in a 1-year prospective study (median follow-up, 13 months). Biochemical analysis was used to assess TIMP-1 and hyaluronic acid at entry and at the end of the study. Radiographic evaluation with an assisted computed program was performed to calculate progression of joint space narrowing. Statistical tests served to determine correlations between observed serum levels and radiograph joint space narrowing.

RESULTS

Among the 29 patients, 10 showed joint space narrowing greater than 0.6 mm per year. The initial concentration of TIMP-1 as well as delta value of variation in serum levels of TIMP-1 (difference between TIMP-1 concentration at entry and at the end) correlated with the progression of joint space narrowing. A cut-off value of 600 ng/ml of TIMP-1 allowed the patients who progressed slowly from those who progressed more rapidly. Hyaluronic acid serum level was not predictive of evolution.

CONCLUSION

TIMP-1 serum level may serve to predict the evolution of patients with hip OA.