The importance of serum beta 2 microglobulin levels in the evaluation of disease activity in the follow-up of rheumatoid arthritis patients

The Importance of Serum Beta 2 Microglobulin Levels in the Evaluation of Disease Activity in the Follow-up of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Aim: Rheumatoid arthritis is a multifactorial, systemic, autoimmune disease that causes progressive joint damage and disability. The aim of this study is to research whether there is relationship between diasese activity and serum beta microglobulin levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Material and method: The study included 119 RA patients who applied to the Rheumatlogy Department of Cukurova Univesity Faculty of Medicine between Agust 2019 and April 2020. The RA group consist of 3 subgroups: patients with on-set of DMARD therapy, with new on-set of biological agent therapy and patients monitored in remisson with current treatment. Dİsease activity of patients was evaluated. Laboratory parameters and beta 2 microgloblin were analyzed. Patients were asked to complete Health Assessment Questionnaire. Results: Beta 2 microglobulin levels were significantly higher in active groups than remission group. In RA disease activation evaluation, its relationship with other parametres was found to be significant in all groups(p<0,05) According to the cut off value determined to predict the severtiy of the disease. It was 66.67% sensitive and 75.61% spesific. This activity was found to be statistically significant. Discussion: Serum beta 2 microglobulin levels are a parameter that can be used to Show disease activity in RA patients. Beta 2 microglobulin was observed to have the strongest correlation with crp among other parametres. B2 microglobulin may be useful parameter to predict disease activity. Keywords: Beta 2 Microglobulin, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Disease Activity