Serum level of soluble adhesion molecules in rheumatoid arthritis complicated with peripheral neuropathy

Abstract EN

Objective : To assess the level of circulating soluble adhesion molecules in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients complicated with peripheral neuropathy as compared to RA without neurological complications as well as normal controls.

Methods : Forty Egyptian patients with RA were subjected to full rheumatological and neurological examination.

They were classified into 2 groups: group 1 had RA and peripheral neuropathy (confirmed by motor and sensory nerve conduction and needle EMG) and group 2 RA patients without peripheral neuropathy.

Ten normal individuals matching for age and sex were taken as control group.

They were subjected to thorough clinical and laboratory examination to assess the disease activity.

Levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and sE-selectin adhesion molecules were measured using the ELISA in the 3 goups.

Results : Levels of sVCAM-1 and sE-selectin were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in RA patients with peripheral neuropathy than both RA and healthy control groups.

Similarly RA patients had elevated adhesion molecules as compared to the healthy control group.

There was positive significant correlation (p < 0.05) between sE-selectin and sVCAM-1 and indices of disease activity.