SOME ASPECTS OF FUTURE MARKERS FOR EVALUATION OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
Journal
Македонски медицински преглед = Macedonian Medical Review
Date Issued
2020
Author(s)
Abstract
Introduction. Reactants of the acute phase like ESR
and CRP indirectly reflect synovitis, but at the same time
they are sensitive tools which enable objectivization and
measurement of immune-mediated inflammatory response in RA. Simultaneous testing especially of ESR, CRP
and RF (that are reversible measures of inflammation) together with clinical variables of inflammatorysynovitis
are recommended for evaluation of disease activity.
Aim. Evaluation of the activity of rheumatoid arthritis
(RA) with the reactants of the acute phase-erythrocyte
sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP)
and rheumatoid factor (RF) and their assessment as
prognostic markers for disease activity in patients with
early RA treated with methotrexate.
Methods. This study included 35 patients (pts) with early
RA, while 35 pts were in the healthy control group. Pts
were treated with methotrexate at an average dose of
10mg once weekly. For clinical evaluation of disease
activity at certain time intervals (0 time, after 6, 9 and 12
months) we analyzed ESR, CRP and RF in every patient.
Results. RA was evaluated following the dynamics of
changes of the mean values of ESR, CRP and RF.
Statistical analysis showed statistically significant differences among mean values of ESR in the four time
intervals (p=0.00002). In regard of CRP there were
statistically significant differences among mean values
in all four time intervals (p=0.0428) (standard deviations
were with great variations). There were no statistically
significant differences of RF in the four time intervals
(p=0.573). We found high values of CRP and RF in
most of the patients.
Conclusion. In spite of the therapy with methotrexate,
disease progression continues especially in patients with
elevated values of ESR, CRP and RF, which are shown
as predictors for aggressive course of disease. This enables selection of high-risk groups of patients for aggressive
course of disease and point the need for early and aggressive treatment.
and CRP indirectly reflect synovitis, but at the same time
they are sensitive tools which enable objectivization and
measurement of immune-mediated inflammatory response in RA. Simultaneous testing especially of ESR, CRP
and RF (that are reversible measures of inflammation) together with clinical variables of inflammatorysynovitis
are recommended for evaluation of disease activity.
Aim. Evaluation of the activity of rheumatoid arthritis
(RA) with the reactants of the acute phase-erythrocyte
sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP)
and rheumatoid factor (RF) and their assessment as
prognostic markers for disease activity in patients with
early RA treated with methotrexate.
Methods. This study included 35 patients (pts) with early
RA, while 35 pts were in the healthy control group. Pts
were treated with methotrexate at an average dose of
10mg once weekly. For clinical evaluation of disease
activity at certain time intervals (0 time, after 6, 9 and 12
months) we analyzed ESR, CRP and RF in every patient.
Results. RA was evaluated following the dynamics of
changes of the mean values of ESR, CRP and RF.
Statistical analysis showed statistically significant differences among mean values of ESR in the four time
intervals (p=0.00002). In regard of CRP there were
statistically significant differences among mean values
in all four time intervals (p=0.0428) (standard deviations
were with great variations). There were no statistically
significant differences of RF in the four time intervals
(p=0.573). We found high values of CRP and RF in
most of the patients.
Conclusion. In spite of the therapy with methotrexate,
disease progression continues especially in patients with
elevated values of ESR, CRP and RF, which are shown
as predictors for aggressive course of disease. This enables selection of high-risk groups of patients for aggressive
course of disease and point the need for early and aggressive treatment.
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