The Expression Of Serum COMP In Developmental Dysplasia Of The Hip

Background: Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is one of therisk factors of secondary hip osteoarthritis. Periacetabular osteotomy(PAO) has become a common surgical option for adolescent andmiddle-aged DDH patients. Researches about the cartilage degenerationin DDH patients are insufficient and there are no biological markers toevaluate the cartilage degeneration of the DDH patients.Objective: There are two purposes of this study. One is to observe thecartilage degeneration in the DDH patients. The other is to detect serumcartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) levels in DDH patients andto decide whether COMP can be used as a biomarker to assess theprogression of DDH.Methods:(1) Cartilage was abtained from patients with DDH, DDH withosteoarthritis and femoral neck fracture. We observed the cartilagedegeneration through Real-Time PCR, Western-bolt and Safranin Ostaining.(2) Serum COMP levels were measured by enzyme-linkedimmunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum concentrations of COMP betweendifferent groups were compared under different conditions. Correlations between serum COMP level and some clinical variables were alsoanalyzed in the study.Result:(1) Degenerative cartilage changes were found in DDH patientsand became aggravated with the development of the disease.(2) DDHgroup had a higher serum COMP level than the control group, andDDH&OA group had the highest level. Besides, a raised serum COMPlevel was found in patients from higher stage of Crowe classification.Negative correlation was found between COMP level and Harris hipscore (HHS) as well as lateral central-edge angle (CEA), while thecorrelation between serum COMP level and the duration of DDH wasfound positive. No correlation was observed between serum COMP leveland age, C-reactive protein (CRP), Sedimentation rate (ESR) or BodyMass Index (BMI).Conclusion: There exists early cartilage degeneration in DDH patientsand the cartilage degeneration is aggravated with the development of thedisease. Serum COMP level can be used as a biological marker inevaluating the progression of DDH with fully understood of the patients’clinical data. It can also help doctors select the best surgical options forDDH treatment.