Objective:To explore the effect of knee arthroplasty on serum cytokines and quality of life in Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) patients with severe knee arthritis.Methods:In a prospective design, KBD patients with severe knee arthritis who underwent total knee arthroplasty in Quzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from June 2017 to June 2018 were selected as the study subjects. The levels of serum cytokines [interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α] and nitric oxide (NO) were compared before operation, 6 months after operation and 1 year after operation. The scores of Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and quality of life scale (KBDQOL) were evaluated.Results:The age of 34 KBD patients with severe knee arthritis was (60.4 ± 5.6) years old, ranged from 50 to 72 years old. There were 15 males and 19 females; the course of disease was (20.3 ± 10.5) years, ranged from 5 to 40 years. The levels of serum IL-1β [(16.49 ± 3.86), (12.08 ± 1.27) pg/ml], TNF-α [(9.28 ± 1.45), (6.52 ± 1.26) pg/ml] and NO [(63.58 ± 15.82), (43.84 ± 10.37) μmol/L] at 6 months and 1 year after operation were significantly lower than those before operation [(21.65 ± 5.08), (13.06 ± 2.15) pg/ml, (102.16 ± 20.74) μmol/L, P < 0.05], and the levels of the above indicators at 1 year after operation were significantly lower than those at 6 months after operation ( P < 0.05). The WOMAC dimensions and comprehensive scores of KBD patients at 6 months and 1 year after operation were significantly lower than that before operation ( P < 0.05), and the WOMAC dimensions and comprehensive scores at 1 year after operation were significantly lower than those at 6 months after operation ( P < 0.05). The social support, activity limitation, somatic function, mental status, overall health and total scores of patients at 6 months and 1 year after operation were significantly higher than those before operation ( P < 0.05). The overall health and total scores of patients at 1 year after operation were significantly higher than those at 6 months after operation ( P < 0.05). Conclusion:After total knee arthroplasty, the inflammatory reaction, clinical symptoms and quality of life of KBD patients with severe knee arthritis are significantly improved.