The evaluation of relation between disease activity and radiographic progression alpha 1 acid glycoprotein levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory and autoimmune disorder with symmetrical and destructive joint involvement and extra-articular findings. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and biologic agents are used in its treatment. In studies, it is shown that a lot of acute phase reactants increase due to inflammation. Elevation of acute phase reactants are found to be correlated with disease activity and radiologic damage in some studies. Aim of this study is to compare alfa-1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) in patients with RA and control group and to determine the relation of AAG level with disease activity and radiologic damage score. 56 patients with RA who presented to Rheumatology Clinic of Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Dicle University Faculty of Medicine and 53 healthy individuals were included in this study. Demographic data of patients were recorded. Joints with arthritis and damage in patients with RA were identified with examination. DAS 28 (Disease Activity Score) values were calculated and disease activities were identified with DAS 28 and VAS. AAG levels of both RA and control groups were identified with ELISA method. Larsen radiologic damage score was evaluated and recorded by radiographies of both hands and feet of RA patients which were taken in last 6 months. In patients RA, a significant difference was detected comparing AAG level of th control group (p=0.000). There was no statistically significant relation between AAG levels with DAS 28 and larsen score (p=0.371-p=0.714). AAG levels was significantly higher in patients with RA. There was no statistically significant relation between AAG levels with DAS 28 and larsen score. It's thought that AAG level could be risen depending persistant inflamation but it isn't related with erosion evolution.