The association of laboratory and clinical markers with disease activity score in rheumatoid arthritis

Background: Disease Activity Score (DAS-28) is a clinical parameter of RA progression according to joint tenderness and swelling. It was reported that other parameters such as neopterin, rheumatoid factors (RF), and cyclic citrullinated protein antibody (Anti- CCP) could be involved in jointed destruction. This study aims to evaluate if these parameters have an association with disease activity of RA. Methods: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 47 patients and 44 healthy subjects. Then plasma levels of neopterin and Anti-CCP have been evaluated using ELISA method. Also, RF-positive patients were detected b latex agglutination test, and ESR levels were obtained from the patient s records. Results: The amount of neopterin, Anti-CCP and RF were significantly higher RA patients in comparison with healthy subjects (P=0.038), (P<0.001), and (P< 0.001), respectively. Also, the significant correlation between RF and DAS-28 (P< 0.001) has been shown in our study. The sensitivity and specificity of anti-CCP and RF were (89.1%, 86.95%) and (91.3%, 91.1%) for the diagnosis of RA, respectively. Conclusions: No correlation existed between the serum levels of neopterin and DAS-28 but RF levels could direct RA disease progression

Keywords:

Anti-CCP , DAS28-ESR , Neopterin , Rheumatoid arthritis , RF