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Published on: February 8, 2019
Activation markers in Behçet's disease
Basak Coskun1, Yunus Saral, Ahmet Gödekmerdan
1Department of Dermatology, Firat University, Faculty of Medicine, TR 23119 Elazig, Turkey. basakkc@hotmail.com
Insights
Serum neopterin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) are elevated in active Behçet's disease. These markers may help identify disease activation when clinical assessment is challenging.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Behçet's disease lacks a specific laboratory marker for clinical activity.
- Accurate monitoring of disease activity is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential laboratory markers for Behçet's disease activity.
- To evaluate serum neopterin, CRP, and ESR as indicators of active disease.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 40 Behçet's disease patients (25 active, 15 inactive) and 30 healthy controls were studied.
- Serum levels of neopterin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were measured.
Main Results:
- Active Behçet's disease patients exhibited significantly higher serum neopterin, CRP, and ESR levels compared to inactive patients and healthy controls (p<0.001).
Conclusions:
- Serum neopterin, in conjunction with CRP and ESR, may serve as a valuable laboratory marker for detecting Behçet's disease activation.
- These markers could aid in managing patients where clinical assessment of disease activity is difficult.
Introduction:
One of the main problems in Behçet's disease is the lack of an original laboratory marker that can reflect clinical activity. In this study, laboratory parameters that could be used as indicators of active disease are investigated.
Materials And Methods:
The study included a total of 40 patients with Behçet's disease, 25 of whom were active and 15 inactive, who applied to Firat University, Firat Medical Center Dermatology, Rheumatology, Physiotherapy, and Ophthalmology outpatient clinics and a control group composed of 30 healthy volunteers. Serum neopterin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and sedimentation rate (ESR) levels were determined in all patients and healthy controls.
Results:
Serum neopterin, CRP, and ESR levels in active Behçet's disease patients were significantly higher than those in both the inactive group and healthy controls (p<0.001).
Conclusions:
It was contemplated that together with serum CRP and ESR, neopterin could be a useful laboratory parameter in patients in whom disease activation could not be determined.
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