Macrophages play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) acts as an autocrine regulator of macrophage activation.
The aim of this study was to assess serum level of GDF-15 as a potential biomarker for detecting RA activity.
A total of 100 female RA patients and 55 age and weight matched healthy control females were enroled. The serum level of GDF-15 was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Serum levels of GDF-15 in RA patients with high, moderate, low and no disease activity were 989.0 ± 161.9, 505.6 ± 220.5, 349.2 ± 155.9 and 349.0 ± 144.0 pg/mL, respectively. GDF-15 with a cut-off value higher than 705 pg/mL was indicative of high RA activity with sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 92%.
GDF-15 serum levels may be used as a biomarker to predict high RA disease activity.