Clinical significance of serum B cell chemokine (CXCL13) in early rheumatoid arthritis patients

摘要

BackgroundThe diagnosis of early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is challenging. B-cell chemokine (CXCL13) plays a critical role in the disease pathogenesis.Aim of the workTo assess the diagnostic value of serum CXCL13 in early RA and compare it with rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies.Patients and methodsThe study included 60 RA patients; 30 early, 30 established RA and 30 healthy controls. The modified health assessment questionnaire (MHAQ), modified Sharp-van der Heijde score (MSS) and disease activity score (DAS28) were assessed in RA patients. RF, anti-CCP and serum level of CXCL13 were measured.ResultsPatients had a mean age of 39?±?7.4?years and disease duration of 4.4?±?5.7?years; they were 46 females and 12 males (F:M 3.8:1). Serum CXCL13 was significantly higher in early (191.7?±?74.4?pg/ml) compared to established (136.4?±?79?pg/ml) RA (p?=?0.007) which were not observed with RF and anti-CCP; both were higher than in control (30.4?±?13.5?pg/ml) (p?