Serum matrix metalloproteinase-3 levels in patients with rheumatoid artrithis and the assesment of their relationship with disease activity

The aim of this study is to compare serum Matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) levels in patients with rheumatoid artrithis (RA) and healty controls to determine their clinical significance in patients with RA. Fifty nine patients (43 women, 16 men) with RA according to American Collage of Rhematology criteria and at least one year follow up, enrolled in this study and compared twenty nine healty controls (21 women, 8 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 MMP-3 levels of the patients with RA and healty controls were measured by ELISA. 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=0.361, p=0.963). The mean disease duration was 9±7.5 years, and the mean DAS28 score was 3.94±1.3 in patients with RA. Serum MMP-3 levels were significantly higher (p<0.001) in patients with RA compared to healty controls. While the mean serum MMP-3 levels were significantly different between the high/modare active and low active group (p<0.001). Serum MMP-3 levels were positively correlated with clinical and laboratory parameters of disease activity. There was a significant correlation between radiological scoring of joint damage and serum MMP-3 levels (p<0.001). This study shows that Serum MMP-3 levels were increased in RA patients in comparison to control group and there was a significant correlation with the disease activity and joint damage. Thus serum MMP-3 levels may be a new usefull parameter in following the disease activity and joint damage. The sample of our study can be enlarged and further studies are required. Keywords: Rheumatoid artrithis, matrix metalloproteinase-3