Assessment of serum nitrite level in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

• Published in: Tanta Medical Journal 2016-01, Vol.44 (1), p.12-15
• Main Authors: Khallaf, Hamdy, Nosair, Nahla, Alashkar, Doaa, Abdella, Dina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Arthritis; Care and treatment; Nitric oxide; Physiological aspects; Rheumatoid factor
• ISSN: 1110-1415; 2314-8624
• DOI: 10.4103/1110-1415.180544

Context Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease involving joints and other systems. Nitric oxide (NO) participation is recognized in numerous physiological and pathological processes. The role of NO in the pathogenesis of RA is still unknown. Aim The aim of this work was to evaluate serum nitrite as a disease marker in patients with RA and its correlation with different parameters of disease activity and severity. Patients and methods A total of 30 RA patients and 15 healthy controls were included. Clinical and functional assessments with routine laboratory investigations were carried out, and serum level of nitrite was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Plain radiographies of both hands and feet were performed for radiological status scoring using the Larsen score. Statistical analysis The collected data were coded, tabulated, and statistically analyzed using SPSS program, version 16.0. Student′s t-test and Pearson′s correlation coefficient were used for statistical analysis. Results Serum nitrite level in patients with RA was statistically significantly high compared with controls. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between serum nitrite levels and different clinical and laboratory markers of disease activity as well as radiographic joint status assessed using Larsen score. Conclusion There was an increase in serum nitrite levels in patients with RA that significantly correlated with the clinical and laboratory markers of disease activity and radiological joint status.