The CALLY Index May Reflect Systemic Inflammatory Burden Rather than Patient-Reported Disease Activity in Ankylosing...

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Biomarker Research
• Inflammatory Diseases

Background:

• Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) assessment is challenging, with current indices potentially underestimating systemic inflammation.
• The C-reactive protein-albumin-lymphocyte (CALLY) index integrates inflammatory, nutritional, and immunological markers.
• Evaluating novel biomarkers is crucial for improving AS management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the association of the CALLY index with disease activity, functional status, and quality of life in AS patients.
• To explore the CALLY index's relationship with established clinical and biochemical markers.
• To investigate the CALLY index's potential as a comprehensive biomarker in AS.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study of 65 AS patients using medical records.
• Calculation of the CALLY index using C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, and lymphocyte counts.
• Assessment of disease activity (BASDAI, ASDAS-ESR), function (BASFI), and quality of life (SF-12).

Main Results:

• The CALLY index showed moderate negative correlations with ESR and ASDAS-ESR.
• A positive correlation was observed between the CALLY index and lymphocyte count.
• No significant associations were found between the CALLY index and BASDAI, BASFI, or SF-12, indicating a dissociation.

Conclusions:

• The CALLY index primarily reflects objective inflammatory markers in AS, not subjective patient experiences.
• Findings suggest a potential disconnect between biochemical and clinical disease manifestations in AS.
• Larger, longitudinal studies are required to confirm these preliminary findings and assess clinical utility.