Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterized by a complex pathophysiology involving inflammatory biomarkers. Objectives: The current study aimed to investigate the correlation between interleukin-6 (IL-6) serum levels and joint space narrowing (JSN) in patients with knee OA. Design: A total of 46 patients clinically diagnosed with knee OA were included in this study. Methods: Joint space narrowing was measured using radiographic examinations, whereas blood serum levels of IL-6 were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the relationship between IL-6 and JSN. Results: The average level of IL-6 was 117.61 (67.05) ng/mL, with JSN measurement of 1.76 (1.31) mm. An inverse correlation found between IL-6 levels and the size of the gap joints in patients with knee OA ( r = −.298; P = .044). Conclusion: An inverse correlation exists between IL-6 levels and joint impairment in knee OA, suggesting that inflammation plays a crucial role in the progression of the disease.
Elvira et al. (2026) studied this question.