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A longitudinal study of calprotectin in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica or temporal arteritis: relation to
J G Brun1, T M Madland, J T Gran
1Department of Rheumatology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. johan.brun@helse-bergen.no
Insights
Plasma calprotectin shows promise as a biomarker for disease activity in polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and temporal arteritis (TA). Elevated levels correlate with inflammation and decrease with steroid treatment, suggesting its utility in monitoring these rheumatic conditions.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Calprotectin, a protein released from activated granulocytes and monocytes, is elevated in inflammatory conditions.
- Plasma calprotectin levels correlate with disease activity in various rheumatic diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of plasma calprotectin as a measure of disease activity in polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and temporal arteritis (TA).
Main Methods:
- A prospective longitudinal study followed 47 patients with PMR and/or TA for up to 3 years.
- Plasma calprotectin levels were correlated with acute phase parameters, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and oral steroid dosage over time.
Main Results:
- Calprotectin levels demonstrated a strong correlation with acute phase parameters and ESR throughout the study.
- A significant decrease in calprotectin was observed after initiating oral prednisolone treatment.
- Calprotectin levels correlated significantly with the daily dosage of prednisolone used.
Conclusions:
- Plasma calprotectin levels are significantly associated with established inflammatory markers and steroid treatment in PMR and TA.
- These findings suggest that calprotectin is a valuable indicator of disease activity in PMR and TA.
- Calprotectin may serve as a useful biomarker for monitoring treatment response in these conditions.
Objective:
Calprotectin is a granulocyte and monocyte cytosolic protein that is released during activation of these cells. The plasma level of calprotectin is raised in various inflammatory conditions and correlates with disease activity in a wide range of rheumatic diseases. We wanted to investigate whether calprotectin may be useful as a measure of disease activity in polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and temporal arteritis (TA).
Methods:
Forty-seven patients with PMR and/or TA were followed up to 3 years in a prospective longitudinal design. Plasma calprotectin was correlated with acute phase parameters, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and peroral steroid usage before start of treatment and at four subsequent time intervals.
Results:
Thirty-three patients had PMR, 10 had TA, and four had both diagnoses. Calprotectin was highly correlated with the acute phase parameters and ESR during the study period. Calprotectin was significantly decreased after start of treatment with oral prednisolone, and correlated with the daily dosage of prednisolone (r = 0.36, p < 0.01).
Conclusion:
Calprotectin plasma levels were significantly associated with acute phase parameters, ESR, and prednisolone usage in PMR and TA, indicating that calprotectin may be a good measure of disease activity in these conditions.
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