To understand the changes of serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) among adults with Kaschin-Beck disease (KBD) in Qinghai, and to provide scientific data for KBD prevention and control.

A case-control study was used, according to "Diagnosis of Kaschin-Beck disease", 104 cases of KBD patients [aged (47.61 ± 12.72) years old; 50 males, 54 females] and 95 cases of internal healthy controls [aged (48.28 ± 14.87) years old; 35 males, 60 females], which were from KBD areas in Xinghai and Guide counties of Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, and 73 cases of external healthy controls [aged (51.88 ± 13.93) years old; 35 males, 38 females] from non-KBD region of Xunhua County were included in July 2017. Serum TNF-α was determined via the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.

Totally 272 persons were studied and divided into three groups, there was no statistical significant difference of ages among the three groups (F = 2.236, P > 0.05), meanwhile, there was no statistical significant difference of genders among the three groups (χ² = 3.135, P > 0.05). The serum TNF-α levels of KBD patients, internal and external healthy controls were (25.14 ± 10.29), (21.84 ± 9.37), and (24.98 ± 8.98) ng/L, respectively, which were statistically significantly different among the three groups (F = 3.486, P < 0.05). The serum TNF-α levels in the KBD group and the external healthy control were higher than that in internal healthy control (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the KBD group and the external healthy control (P > 0.05).

There may exist inflammatory changes among KBD patients in KBD areas of Qinghai Province.

Kaschin-Beck disease; Adults; Tumor necrosis factor-α