Beta-2 microglobulin (B2M) has been shown as a marker for monitoring inflammatory disease activity and it appears likely to have a destructive role in amyloidosis-related arthritis. Whether it has a catabolic role in osteoarthritis (OA) remains unclear.
To evaluate a possible association between serum B2M and radiographic grading of OA.
A total of 115 patients with knee OA and 30 controls were divided into subgroups according to Kellgren-Lawrence grading score and their erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein and serum B2M were assessed.
B2M levels of patients were significantly higher than the controls (P < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference between OA subgroups and B2M levels had no correlation with the radiological grading.
B2M levels were found to be higher in OA patients than controls, regardless of OA stage. These findings support the studies suggesting that B2M might be involved in the OA pathogenesis.