Cholinergic Dysfunction in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis and Immunocompetent Controls: A Cross-Sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Neuroscience
• Rheumatology

Background:

• The parasympathetic system and acetylcholine are crucial for inflammation homeostasis.
• Cholinergic dysregulation is implicated in inflammatory rheumatic diseases.
• Cholinesterase activity in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) remains uninvestigated.

Purpose of the Study:

• Compare cholinesterase activity in PsA patients versus controls.
• Investigate the link between cholinergic status (CS) and PsA disease activity.

Main Methods:

• Measured serum acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and total cholinesterase activity in PsA patients (n=88) and controls (n=84).
• Assessed cholinergic activity pre- and post-biologic treatment in seven PsA patients.

Main Results:

• AChE and CS levels were comparable between PsA patients and controls.
• PsA patients on biologics exhibited lower AChE and CS than those on non-biologics (P=0.005, P=0.029).
• Found associations between C-reactive protein, AChE activity, and CS in PsA patients.

Conclusions:

• Cholinesterase activity is similar in PsA patients and controls.
• Biologic treatment may influence cholinergic activity in PsA patients.