Association of serum uric acid with severity of osteoarthritis of knee

Aim: The objective of the study was to find out association between serum uric acid (UA) levels and severity of pain in different grades of osteoarthritis of knee (KOA) patients. Methods: After obtaining ethical clearance, 160 patients suffering from KOA were enrolled in the study. Informed consent was taken and blood samples along with the radiographs of the knee joints were obtained. On the basis of the radiographic pictures the patients were categorised into four grades according to Kellgren Lawrence (KL) grading method. For each patient serum UA level was estimated and degree of pain was calculated using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results: Both the UA levels and severity of pain were found to be in increasing order in parallel from grade-I to grade- IV patients. The severity of pain was significantly higher in grade IV as while the increase in UA levels was not significant. Conclusion: It may be concluded that the level of UA is raised in parallel with the severity of KOA