Objective To explore the correlation between the severity of osteoarthritis and the serum levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and soluble IL-4 receptor (sIL-4R). Methods Fifty patients with osteoarthritis hospitalized from May 2011 to May 2013 were selected as study group, and 50 healthy individuals during the corresponding period were selected as control group. The serum levels of IL-4 and sIL-4R were determined by EILISA and compared between the two groups. The severity of osteoarthritis of

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... s in the study group was assessed by Kellgren and Lawrence (K&L) grading system and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). The relationship between both K&L grade and WOMAC scores and the serum levels of IL-4 and sIL-4R was analyzed. Results The serum level of sIL-4R in the study group (82.12±11.24ng/ml) was significantly higher than that in control group (30.67±5.23ng/ml, P<0.05), but the levels of IL-4 in two groups were similar (14.39±7.14 and 15.23±6.28ng/L, P>0.05). The serum level of sIL-4R in the study group was positively correlated with the WOMAC scores (r=0.313, P<0.05). The sIL-4R levels were increased gradually along with the increase in K&L grade, and the difference between different grades was significant (P<0.05). Conclusion The serum level of sIL-4R is correlated with the severity of osteoarthritis, and may be used as an evaluation indicator of severity of osteoarthritis. DOI: 10.11855/j.issn.0577-7402.2015.01.14