Serum microrna-146A and mi̇crorna-223 levels, sensitivity and specificitys, relationship with disease parameters and treatment of biological agents in rheumatoid arthritis

The aim of this study is to compare serum MicroRNA-146a and microRNA-223 levels in patients with rheumatoid artrithis (RA) and healty controls to determine their sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis and disease activity, relationship with the treatment of biological agents and clinical significance in patients with RA. Sixty (43 women, 17 men) with RA according to American Collage of Rhematology criteria and at follow up, enrolled in this study and compared thirty healty controls (17 women, 13 men). To evaluate disease activity score 28 (DAS28) was calculated. Physical function capasity (disability) was asssessed with Health Assesment Quastionnarie (HAQ) and Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), C Reactive Protein (CRP), Rheumatoid Factor (RF) and antıcyclıc cıtrullınated peptıde (ACCP) levels were determined by routıne laboratory methods. Serum MicroRNA-146a and microRNA-223 levels of the patients with RA and healty controls were measured PCR. Radiographic assesment of hands joints was evaluated accordind to the modified Larsen score. Between patients with RA and healty controls, there was no significant difference with respect to the gender and age (respectively p=0.245, p=0.414). The mean disease duration was 9,98±6,67 years, and the mean DAS28 score was 3.56±1.11 in patients with RA. There was no significant difference with serum microRNA-146a and microRNA-223 levels (p>0.05) in patients with DMARDs and biological agents groups compared to healty controls. While the mean serum microRNA-146a and microRNA-223 levels were significantly different between the high/modare active and low active group (p<0.001). Serum microRNA-146a and microRNA-223 levels were positively correlated with some clinical parameters of disease activity. There was no significant correlation between radiological scoring of joint damage and serum microRNA-146a and microRNA-223 levels (p>0.05) This study shows that Serum microRNA-146a and microRNA-223 levels were increased in active RA patients in comparison to control group and there was a significant correlation with the disease activity. Thus microRNA-146a and microRNA-223 levels may be a new usefull parameter in following the disease activity. The sample of our study can be enlarged and further studies are required. Keywords: Rheumatoid artrithis, MicroRNA-146a, MicroRNA-223