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Adenosine deaminase activity in joint effusions.
T Pettersson1, M Klockars, T H Weber
1Fourth Department of Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Adenosine deaminase (ADA) levels in synovial fluid are significantly elevated in various inflammatory joint diseases, suggesting local ADA production within the joints. This enzyme activity may serve as a marker for inflammation severity.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
Background:
- Joint effusions are common in various rheumatic conditions.
- Adenosine deaminase (ADA) is an enzyme involved in immune function.
- Measuring ADA activity may help differentiate causes of joint inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity in serum and synovial fluid.
- To compare ADA levels across different types of joint effusions.
- To assess the correlation between ADA activity and disease activity in joint diseases.
Main Methods:
- Collected serum and synovial fluid samples from 98 patients with joint effusions.
- Assayed adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity in all collected samples.
- Compared ADA levels between osteoarthritis and various inflammatory arthropathies.
- Correlated synovial fluid ADA activity with clinical markers of inflammation (hemoglobin, ESR).
Main Results:
- Significantly higher mean synovial fluid ADA activities were observed in seropositive rheumatoid arthritis, chronic seronegative polyarthritis, juvenile chronic arthritis, and reactive arthritis compared to osteoarthritis.
- Elevated ADA activity in synovial fluid versus serum in inflammatory joint diseases suggests local production.
- Synovial fluid ADA activity showed a positive correlation with hemoglobin concentration and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
Conclusions:
- Synovial fluid ADA activity is significantly increased in several inflammatory joint diseases.
- Elevated ADA levels in synovial fluid indicate local enzyme production within the joint.
- ADA activity in synovial fluid may serve as a valuable biomarker for assessing joint inflammation severity.