The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between disease severity and biochemical parameters such as pentraxin-3, fetuin-A, IL-6, insulin and HOMA-IR levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
This study included 60 patients with RA and 20 healthy controls. Serum pentraxin-3, fetuin-A, IL-6 and insulin concentrations were measured. Also, HOMA-IR values were calculated. Disease activity was assessed with Disease Activity Score (DAS28). To evaluate quality of life, the Health Assessment Questionnaire disability index was applied.
The serum values for ESR, CRP, pentraxin-3 and fetuin-A in patients with RA were found to be higher than control subjects (p values=0.001, 0.001, 0.000, 0.000, 0.01, 0.02, respectively). A positive correlation was evident between the DAS 28 score and IL6 levels (r=0.263, p=0.045). We found no correlation between the DAS28 score and HOMA-IR, the levels of pentraxin 3, fetuin A, insulin (p<0.05). Fetuin A levels were positively correlated with cumulative steroid dose (r=0.382, p=0.035). A statistically significant correlation was evident between presence of cardiovascular disease and HOMA-IR values in RA patients (r=0.437, p=0.032).
Elevated levels of pentraxin-3, fetuin-A, CRP, ESR might play a role in the pathogenesis of RA. Levels of fetuin-A, insulin HOMA-IR, pentraxin-3, CRP and ESR were not associated with clinical severity of the RA.