Serum and synovial markers of collagen metabolism in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis

Abstract EN

Objective: To assess the serum and synovial markers of collagen metabolism in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) and to evaluate their reflection of the disease process.

Materials & Methods: The study was conducted on 22 RA patients, 22 OA patients and 10 control subjects.

We measured serum and synovial levels (when feasible) of ICTP and PIII NP and correlated their levels to the disease activity score, as well as clinical, laboratory and radiological findings in our patients.

Results: Serum and synovial ICTP and PIII NP levels were highly significantly elevated in patients with arthritic conditions than in controls.

These markers were highly significantly elevated in RA than in OA patients especially the synovial level.

Also, their levels were positively correlated with parameters of disease activity and to the erosive state of the joint especially ICTP.

Conclusion: Measuring these collagen markers is valuable for evaluating the activity of the disease and as a prognostic factor for erosive changes occurring in RA.