title: Circulating and synovial levels of IGF-I, cytokines, physical function and anthropometry differ in women awaiting total knee arthroplasty when compared to men.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Determine if gender differences in osteoarthritis relate to cytokine and growth factor levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional comparison of serum and synovial concentrations of cytokines (IL-1alphabeta, TNF-alpha, IL-6), growth factors (IGF-I, TGF-beta, IRAP), physical performance and perceived function in total knee arthroplasty candidates (TKAC) (n=17) and healthy controls (n=21) was done.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum IGF-I values were reduced in female (TKAC 137.6+/-7.2; Controls 160.2+/-26.2) but not male TKAC (TKAC 182.6+/-18.4; Controls 184.0+/-18.4) (p<0.05).). Serum and synovial levels of cytokines and growth factors did not differ significantly by group or gender. Physical performance testing (SPW, TUG) revealed significant group and gender differences (p=0.001) with women demonstrating greater functional impairment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A systemic, not local component to OA pathophysiology may exist for female TKAC. Male TKAC were less impaired, and their IGF-I levels differ little from Control values.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Studies of Physical Function, Orthopaedic and Arthritic Institute, 43 Wellesley Street East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4Y 1H1. sonia.pagura@sw.ca
authors.forename: Sonia M C
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Pagura
authors.forename: Scott G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Linda J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Woodhouse
authors.forename: Shereen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ezzat
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marks
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / Q000097:blood; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000209:etiology; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D016138:Walking
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I