Aim
To analyze the therapeutic, diagnostic significance and prognostic value of dickkopf-related protein-1 (DKK-1) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in AS.
Background
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) frequently occurs in people aged 30-45 years, and its prevalence is generally believed to be between 0.1% and 1.4% globally. At present, the "gold standard" for diagnosis of AS requires the provision of pelvic X-rays, which makes it more difficult to perform in population-based epidemiological studies. Therefore, the identification of serological indicators related to the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of AS patients is of great significance.
Conclusion
DKK-1 and TNF-α are effective in the diagnosis and treatment of AS and are risk factors for its recurrence. In addition, DKK-1 may be a potential target for the diagnosis of AS.
Methods
A total of 113 patients with active AS were selected as the research group, and 100 healthy subjects who underwent physical examination were selected as the control group. The levels of DKK-1 and TNF-α in peripheral blood in the two groups were compared. The diagnostic and predictive values of DKK-1 and TNF-α for AS were analyzed with ROC curves, and the factors influencing AS recurrence were analyzed with COX regression.
Results
Before treatment, the research group showed lower DKK-1 levels but higher TNF-α levels than the control group (both a P < 0.05). In the research group, DKK-1 was up-regulated and TNF-α was down-regulated after 12 wk of treatment (a P < 0.05). The area under the curve, sensitivity and specificity of DKK-1 combined with TNF-α for diagnosing AS were 0.934, 82.30% and 97.00%, respectively. Before treatment, the area under the curve, cutoff value, sensitivity and specificity of DKK-1 for predicting the curative effect were 0.825, 68.42 pg/mL, 73.68% and 80.00%, respectively, and those of TNF-α were 0.863, 32.79 ng/L, 92.11% and 77.33%, respectively. DKK-1 and TNF-α levels after treatment were closely related to the curative effect (a P < 0.05). C-reactive protein, the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, DKK-1, and TNF-α were risk factors for AS recurrence (a P < 0.05).