Serum YKL-40 Levels In Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis And Its Relationship With Disease Activity

Abstract

Background: An autoimmune, persistent, inflammatory synovitis is rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA's etiopathogenesis is still unknown. However, part of its pathomechanism involves autoimmune mechanisms. According to a report, RA's chronic inflammatory process is connected to synovial proliferation, which is connected to the resorption of bone and cartilage. One major protein that chondrocytes make from arthritic j[1]oints both in vitro and in vivo is called YKL-40. It has been shown that when joint problems such osteoarthritis (OA) and RA are present, their value increases significantly.Objective: This study aimed to evaluate serum YKL-40 concentrations in RA patients compared to healthy individuals and to investigate the association between serum YKL-40 levels with disease activity in RA at Makkah hospital, Saudi Arabia. Patients and Methods: This study included 35 RA patients with mean age of 42.23 ± 9.94 years, 6 (17.1%) males & 29 (82.9%) females. 35 apparently healthy individuals with mean age of 39.46 ± 8.28 years, 10 (28.6%) males & 25 (71.4%) females. Laboratory investigations were done. Serum YKL-40 was analyzed and DAS28 was evaluated. Results: RA cases were linked to a significant increase in YKL-40 levels compared to controls. Serum YKL-40 level was significantly correlated with RA activity (P=0.001) (DAS28). There were statistically significant increases in Anti- CCP, rheumatoid factor (RF), CRP, ESR, WBCs and platelet in RA cases than in the controls. Conclusion: Serum YKL-40 was significantly increased with RA as well as with its activity. It could be used as a valid marker in the context of RA diagnosis.