The Diagnostic Value of Joint Fluid Physicochemical Analysis and 白 细胞Count in Acute Infection in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

LI Qinghe; LAI Qiaohong; CHEN Yuting

doi:10.13919/j.issn.2095-6274.ZHJY202411037

Abstract：Objective To analyze the physico-chemical properties of joint effusion and white blood cell(白细胞)count in patients with knee osteoarthritis,providing a basis for the diagnosis and treatment of intra-articular acute infections.Methods A total of 218 patients with knee osteoarthritis treated at Longyan City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between January 2019 and June 2023 were included in this retrospective study.The patients were divided into two groups based on whether they developed intra-articular acute infection:the infection group(n=95)and the non-infection group(n=123).General patient demographics,joint effusion characteristics(volume,transparency,viscosity),and chemical tests(mucin clot formation test,protein and glucose levels)were compared.Additionally,leukocyte count was assessed.Results The infection group had significantly higher joint effusion volume,protein levels,serum glucose and the difference between synovial and serum glucose,as well as leukocyte count compared to the non-infection group(P＜0.05).The joint effusion in the infection group appeared turbid,whereas the non-infection group had clear effusion.The viscosity of joint effusion in the infection group was significantly lower than in the non-infection group(P＜0.05).The mucin clot formation test showed a significantly lower success rate in the infection group compared to the non-infection group(P＜0.05).Conclu-sion Combined testing of joint effusion physico-chemical properties and leukocyte count in patients with knee osteoarthritis provides valuable diagnostic information for detecting intra-articular acute infections.These tests can serve as useful adjuncts for clinical diagnosis and monitoring.