Serum chemerin level as a predictor marker of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis patients in correlation with musculoskeletal ultrasound findings

Abstract

Background
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a lifelong connective tissue disease that targets joints and damages articular cartilage and the synovium. Symmetric bilateral arthritis, which mostly destroys the tiny joints of the upper & lower limbs, is a characteristic feature of RA. Multiple inflammatory, vascular, and metabolic disorders are affected by adipokines. Chemerin is one of the newest members of adipokines. Chemerin may contribute to the persistant inflammation in autoimmune disorders. However, there is currently no solid evidence about whether elevated chemerin levels exacerbate RA flare-ups.


Methods
In our cross sectional study, sixty RA patients participated (30 active RA (Group A) & 30 inactive RA patients (Group B)) and 30 healthy individuals served as a reference group (Group C). An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to assess serum chemerin, which was then compared with the patients’ demographic, clinical, MSUS and biochemical findings. P values measured smaller than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant.


Results

Serum chemerin concentration was high & correlated with measures of disease activity (TJC, DAS28-ESR score, CRP, GS synovitis, US7 total score) with
p
values 0.002-0.005-0.020-<0.001-<0.001 respectively. Serum chemerin level can be a useful tool in diagnosing active RA patients with sensitivity & specificity 96.7%, 96.7% respectively.



Conclusions
Serum chemerin concentration can be effectively applied as a prognostic indicator of active disease in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.