Type II collagen degradation marker (CTX-II)

Method

C-terminal crosslinked telopeptide of type II collagen, by immunoassay in urine (usually normalised to creatinine) or in serum. Matrix and normalisation recorded on the edge. Reflects cartilage collagen breakdown.

The method is part of the endpoint identity. Studies measuring the same quantity by a different method are held as separate endpoints.

Notes

5 papers. A FALL is improvement — less cartilage degradation — so this inverts against the joint-function scores reported beside it, which rise to improve. Distinct from the type I collagen telopeptides used as BONE turnover markers: same assay family, different tissue, and a paper may report both.