Tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease-1 (TIMP-1) serum level may predict progression od 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 u sed to assess TIMP-1 and hyaluronic acid at entry and at the end of the stu dy. Radiographic evaluation with an assisted computed program was performed to calculate progression of joint space narrowing. Statistical tests serve d to determine correlations between observed serum levels and radiograph jo int space narrowing. Results: Among the 29 patients, 10 showed joint space narrowing greater tha n 0.6 mm per year. The initial concentration of TIMP-1 as well as delta val ue of variation in serum levels of TIMP-1 (difference between TIMP-1 concen tration at entry and at the end) correlated with the progression of joint s pace narrowing. A cut-off value of 609 ng/ml of TIMP-1 allowed the patients who progressed slowly from those who progressed more rapidly. Hyaluronic a cid serum level was not predictive of evolution. Conclusion: TIMP-1 serum level may serve to predict the evolution of patien ts with hip OA. (C) 2001 OsteoArthritis Research Society International.