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Circulating soluble E-selectin in early rheumatoid arthritis: a prospective five year study
A Kuuliala1, K Eberhardt, A Takala
1Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. antti.kuuliala@helsinki.fi
Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
|February 7, 2002
Summary
Soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin), a marker for vascular endothelium activation, is linked to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) activity and long-term joint damage. Higher baseline sE-selectin levels predict worse functional status in early RA patients over five years.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin) indicates vascular endothelium activation.
- Early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) involves significant endothelial activation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum sE-selectin levels in early RA patients.
- To correlate sE-selectin levels with disease activity, functional status, and radiographic progression over five years.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) used for annual sE-selectin measurement in 85 early RA patients.
- Clinical data (joint count, HAQ) and laboratory markers (CRP, WBC) collected annually.
- Statistical analysis included AUC calculations, Jonckheere's test, and logistic regression.
Main Results:
- sE-selectin levels correlated with C-reactive protein, white blood cell count, active joint count, and joint destruction progression.
- Elevated baseline sE-selectin predicted poorer Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) scores at five years.
- No significant difference in sE-selectin levels between RA patients and healthy controls.
Conclusions:
- Endothelial activation, as indicated by sE-selectin, is associated with RA disease activity.
- sE-selectin serves as a potential biomarker for predicting long-term functional outcomes in early RA.