We investigated the serum transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1) and fetuin-A levels, and determined the relationships between these biomarkers and disease activity, mobility and radiologic progression in patients with spondyloarthropathy (SpA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
The study included 55 patients with SpA and 38 patients with RA, together with 28 healthy subjects. In AS patients, we assessed disease activity using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), functional ability using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), and mobility using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), radiologic progression using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Radiology Index (BASRI). Serum fetuin-A and TGFβ1 were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) equipment.
Fetuin-A was significantly higher in the axial SpA and RA groups than in healthy subjects (P < 0.01). Serum TGFβ1 and fetuin-A levels were similar in the peripheral SpA group and in healthy subjects. A significant positive correlation was found between the fetuin-A and TGFβ1 levels in the axial SpA, peripheral SpA, and RA groups (r = 0.293, P = 0.009; r = 0.215, P = 0.04; r = 0.223, P = 0.05, respectively). Significant correlations were found between fetuin-A and the BASMI and BASRI values in the axial SpA patients (r = 0.444, P = 0.031; r = 0.486, P < 0.001, respectively).
We conclude that Fetuin-A may be one of the steps that can be active in disease progression in axial SpA patients.