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Basic Science
intermediate
X-Type

Osteoarthritis Pathophysiology

Cartilage Degradation

A 58-year-old woman presents with progressive knee pain and stiffness over 5 years. Examination reveals joint line tenderness, crepitus, and a small effusion. Radiographs show joint space narrowing, osteophytes, and subchondral sclerosis. Synovial fluid analysis shows mildly elevated cell count (2,500 cells/mm³) with predominantly mononuclear cells. Regarding the pathophysiology of primary osteoarthritis:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

Osteoarthritis is characterized by progressive cartilage degradation, subchondral bone changes, syno...

B

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), particularly MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-13, and aggrecanases (ADAMTS-4 ...

C

Synovial inflammation is absent in osteoarthritis as it is purely a degenerative condition; interleu...

D

Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and TNF-alpha are key pro-inflammatory cytokines in OA pathogenesis; they...

E

Chondrocyte metabolism shifts from anabolic to catabolic in OA; early compensatory proliferation and...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option