WHAT IS THE CURRENT STATUS OF BIOCHEMICAL MARKERS IN THE DIAGNOSIS, PROGNOSIS AND MONITORING OF OSTEOARTHRITIS

Biochemical markers for osteoarthritis (OA) may serve different purpos es. Since markers reflect ongoing dynamic metabolic processes in the j oint tissues (cartilage, synovium, bone, etc.), they are most likely t o be useful to predict prognosis and response to treatment, to monitor response to treatment, and for disease staging. Markers are currently being used at the research level for these purposes. The goal of usin g these markers to assess the disease process in the OA clinical trial setting or in the clinical routine has, however, not yet been reached .