Conclusions
Serum level of 14-3-3η protein was significantly elevated in RA patients compared to controls and is significantly correlated with parameters of activity disease. The RA-osteoporosis group had significantly higher serum 14-3-3η protein than the RA-osteopenia group and RA-control group. Serum 14-3-3η protein can be a promising biomarker to reflect RA activity and predict presence of osteoporosis in RA patients.
Material and methods
One hundred eighty-eight patients with RA and 192 matched controls were enrolled. The rheumatoid arthritis activity parameters were evaluated in RA patients. Bone mineral density was measured. Serum levels of 14-3-3η protein and IL-6 were estimated for all participants by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).
Methods
One hundred eighty-eight patients with RA and 192 matched controls were enrolled. The rheumatoid arthritis activity parameters were evaluated in RA patients. Bone mineral density was measured. Serum levels of 14-3-3η protein and IL-6 were estimated for all participants by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).
Results
Rheumatoid arthritis patients had a significantly higher median serum 14-3-3η protein level compared to matched controls (p ≤ 0.05). Serum level of 14-3-3η protein was significantly correlated with DAS28-ESR (p ≤ 0.05) and serum IL-6 level (p ≤ 0.05). The rheumatoid arthritis-osteoporosis group had significantly higher serum 14-3-3η protein than the RA-osteopenia group and RA-control group. Similarly, the difference of the serum 14-3-3η protein between the RA-osteopenia group and the RA-control group was significant. In the linear regression analysis, the strongest factors that were associated with BMD in RA patients were the serum level of 14-3-3η protein (p ≤ 0.05), IL-6 (p ≤ 0.05) and DAS28-ESR (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: Serum level of 14-3-3η protein was significantly elevated in RA patients compared to controls and is significantly correlated with parameters of activity disease. The RA-osteoporosis group had significantly higher serum 14-3-3η protein than the RA-osteopenia group and RA-control group. Serum 14-3-3η protein can be a promising biomarker to reflect RA activity and predict presence of osteoporosis in RA patients.