Assesment of synovial fluid pH in osteoarthritis of the HIP and knee

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a developing process with a multifactorial causality in which changes of the synovial fluid characteristics occur. Hypothesis: Synovial fluid pH in severe OA is correlated with other patient parameters. Synovial fluid pH from 50 patients with severe OA (knee/hip) was determined. The results were assessed and correlations with the patients antropologic data and biological markers were analyzed. 50 patients (26 knee OA and 24 hip OA) were analyzed. The average synovial fluid pH was 7.35 indicating slightly lower levels than in normal joints. Higher pH values were observed in males, under 60 years, secondary OA, Rh+ and Hbg under 13.5g/dL. Lower pH values were obtained in females, age under 60 years, primary OA, Rh-, Hbg over 13.5g/dL, hypertensive and diabetic patients. The synovial fluid pH may not be an appropriate biomarker for severe OA disease. Some patient variables might be correlated with synovial blood pH.