Assessment of WOMAC index for knee osteoarthritis and its association with serum vitamin - D and serum cytokine profile

Vitamin D has immuno-modulatory and potential cartilage-regenerative effects. Therefore, it is of interest to evaluate the association between serum vitamin D levels, pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α), and functional status in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). In this cross-sectional analysis of 84 patients with bilateral knee OA, serum vitamin D, IL-6, TNF-α levels and WOMAC scores were recorded. Patients with vitamin D deficiency exhibited significantly higher IL-6 and TNF-α levels and worse WOMAC scores. Data shows that vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased inflammation and poorer functional outcomes in knee OA.