ASSOCIATION OF SOME IMMUNOLOGICAL BIOMARKERS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS IN THI-QAR PROVINCE

The aim: The aim of this research is to evaluate some immunological biomarkers in cases of Rheumatoid arthritis and to verify their correlation with activity of disease among the population of Thi-Qar province.

Matherials and methods: This study included 45 cases of rheumatoid arthritis and 45 healthy subjects. All cases underwent complete history taking, thor¬ough clinical examination, and laboratory tests including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), Anti-citrulline antibody (Anti-CCP) and rheumatoid factor (RF). IL-17and TNF-α blood level was measured by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. DAS-28 (Disease activity score 28) was evaluated.

Results: Serum levels TNF-α was higher in Rheumatoid arthritis patients (424.3±19.46 pg/ml) than in healthy individuals (112.7±4.73 pg/ml), and IL-17 blood levels were higher in Rheumatoid arthritis patients (233.5±241.4 pg/ml) than the healthy individuals group (47.24±49.7 pg/ml). There was significant association found among IL-17, DAS-28, CRP and hemoglobin levels.

Conclusions: In conclusion, IL-17 blood levels were significantly increased in peoples with rheumatoid arthritis than in healthy individuals. Its significant relationship with DAS-28 suggested that the level of IL-17 in serum could be important immunological biomarker for activity of disease in disease of Rheumatoid arthritis.