Conclusion
Serum IL-6 and IL-18 levels correlates well with disease activity in TA which suggests their important role in disease pathogenesis and may be helpful in guiding and monitoring therapy in active TA patients.
Methods
A total of 40 patients with TA were divided into active and stable disease groups. Disease activity was assessed according to the National Institutes of Health criteria proposed by Kerr et al. Routine blood investigations were obtained and serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-18, ESR, hsCRP levels and NLR (neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio) were assayed at baseline and after 6 months.
Results
Among the 40 patients enrolled, 18 were classified as active while 22 were stable at baseline and with a similar pattern at 6 months. Along with ESR and hsCRP, IL-6 and IL-18 levels were significantly higher in the active disease group than in the stable disease group (p < 0.005). The levels of other novel biomarkers (IL-1, TNF-α) and NLR were not significantly higher in active disease group.