Biochemical Markers for the Early Identification of Osteoarthritis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#female #humans #male #biomarkers #collagen-type-i

Biochemical Markers for the Early Identification of Osteoarthritis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Ren et al., 2018 | Mol Diagn Ther | Meta Analysis

Citation

Ren Guomin, Krawetz Roman J. Biochemical Markers for the Early Identification of Osteoarthritis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Mol Diagn Ther. 2018-Dec;22(6):671-682. doi:10.1007/s40291-018-0362-8

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is a desperate need for the reliable detection of osteoarthritis (OA) at the early stage when patients are likely to benefit most from disease interventions. A variety of biochemical markers have been proposed, but their reliability varies among studies. OBJECTIVE: In this review, we aimed to answer the following questions: (1) are there biochemical markers that are differentially expressed in early OA versus healthy subjects, and (2) if so, what is the diagnostic value of these biomarkers for early OA? METHODS: Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched to obtain all relevant studies up to March 2018, and studies comparing the biochemical markers between early OA and healthy controls were selected. The Downs and Black checklist was used to assess the risk of bias. Biomarkers that were investigated in five or more different populations were pooled for meta-analysis. A meta-regression analysis was performed to explore possible explanations for the heterogeneity of studies. RESULT: In total, 26 articles met the criteria for the qualitative synthesis and 17 articles for the final quantitative synthesis. N-terminal crosslinked telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX-I) was the only biomarker found to be differently expressed in patients with early OA versus controls, without significant heterogeneity among studies (I2 = 0%, [Formula: see text] = 1.695, p = 0.792). The meta-regression analysis identified that sample size and affected joint possibly explained the heterogeneity among studies. CONCLUSION: Although a wide range of biomarkers has been previously investigated in early OA, the diagnostic value of these biomarkers could not be determined because due to a low number of studies regarding any given biomarker. Large prospective and adequately powered studies are therefore required to validate these (and other) biomarkers for identifying early OA.

Key Findings

Although a wide range of biomarkers has been previously investigated in early OA, the diagnostic value of these biomarkers could not be determined because due to a low number of studies regarding any given biomarker. Large prospective and adequately powered studies are therefore required to validate these (and other) biomarkers for identifying early OA.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population early oa versus controls
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Biomarkers
  • Collagen Type I
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Early Diagnosis

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: collagen

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09