Protein level may serve as predictor of severe osteoarthritis

I have read an article regarding this study on the OrthoSupersite and wanted to share it with the community.
 
A group of  researchers reported that vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) is a strong predictor of hip and knee joint replacement due to severe osteoarthritis (OA) as found from their study.
 
The article states:
 
"Subjects underwent a baseline exam in 1990, and investigators performed follow-up exams every 5 years until 2005, according to a press release. They also analyzed blood samples for VCAM-1, a sialoglycoprotein (a combination sugar and protein) expressed on cells in the cartilage and connective tissue.
 
The results showed that VCAM-1 levels were substantially elevated in the 60 individuals who underwent joint replacement, with the highest baseline levels seen in those who underwent bilateral joint replacement, according to the press release.
 
“The level of VCAM-1 emerged as a significant predictor of the risk of joint replacement due to severe OA, equaling or even surpassing the effects of age,” the authors said in the press release. They also noted that inclusion of VCAM-1 levels in risk prediction models resulted in a more accurate classification of individuals."
 
To view the enire article click here.