Correlation of plasma cytokines with rheumatoid arthritis activity

Abstract EN

This study was conducted on forty-five sero-positive rheumatoid arthritis patients, thirty with active and fifteen with non-active disease.

In addition fifteen normal healthy subjects, age and sex matched, were included as controls.

All studied cases were subjected to careful history and thorough clinical and joint examination to assess the degree of disease activity.

They were also subjected to laboratory investigations that included peripheral hemogram, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and interleukin-1β.

The results revealed significantly higher serum levels of IL-1 ββ in different groups of patients as compared to controls (p<0.001).

Also the mean serum levels of IL-1 SYMBOL 98 \f "Symbol" was significantly higher in patients with active disease than in patients with non-active rheumatoid arthritis (p<0.001).

Positive correlations were found between IL-1 SYMBOL 98 \f "Symbol" and morning stiffness, Ritchie articular index (RAI), ESR, disease activity score (DAS), the number of active joints (all p<0.001).

Also, a negative correlation was found between IL- and hemoglobin concentration.