Synovial fluid total hemolytic complement activity in rheumatic diseases - a reappraisal

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Immunology
• Clinical Chemistry

Background:

• Contradictory claims exist regarding the clinical utility of total hemolytic complement activity measurements in rheumatic diseases.
• Assay anomalies and the semi-quantitative nature of complement activity testing complicate interpretation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To reappraise the role of total hemolytic complement activity measurements in rheumatic diseases.
• To review the literature concerning the diagnostic and prognostic value of synovial fluid complement levels.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on studies measuring total hemolytic complement activity in synovial fluid.
• Analysis of the relationship between synovial fluid complement activity and disease diagnosis, prognosis, and clinical markers.

Main Results:

• Synovial fluid total hemolytic complement activity measurements have limited diagnostic and prognostic value in joint diseases.
• No significant correlation was found between synovial fluid complement activity and clinical disease activity or other laboratory findings.

Conclusions:

• Measurements of synovial fluid complement activity are of limited utility for diagnosing or predicting the course of joint diseases.
• Synovial fluid complement activity is unlikely to be a useful guide for evaluating the efficacy of drug therapies in rheumatic conditions.