الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 32 |  |  |
| | | from | 32 | | |
Abstract
The present study was designed to measure the serum calprotectin levels in rheumatoid arthritis patients and to assess its association with the disease activity markers (ESR, CRP and DAS 28 score), rheumatoid auto antibodies (RF and ACCP) and radiological joint damage using (musculoskeletal ultrasound and SENS score).
This study enrolled 44 RA patients who fulfilled the 2010 ACR\EULAR classification criteria for RA and 20 age and sex matched healthy volunteers. All were subjected to full history taking and thorough clinical examination including full musculoskeletal examination.
Assessment of RA disease activity state was done for all RA patients using the DAS28 score. Laboratory investigations included the measurement of CBC, ESR, CRP, RF, ACCP, kidney functions, liver functions, serum calprotectin levels were done by Elisa & Radiological joint damage assessment by musculoskeletal ultrasound and SENS score.
In the present study there was a statistically significant elevation of serum calprotectin levels among Rheumatoid arthritis patients when compared to healthy controls.
The present study also showed a statistically significant correlations between serum calprotectin and each of = composite ultra sound score, SENS radiographic score, DAS 28 score and ESR, which reflect the degree of inflammatory activity in the affected joints in RA patients.
Insignificant correlation between serum calprotectin levels and CRP was seen in this study and is contradictory to previous researches, this may be explained by the fact that circulating CRP levels are influenced by different genetic and non-genetic factors in the selected sample of enrolled patients .
Moreover the study yielded a significant correlation
between serum calprotectin levels and Rheumatoid auto antibodies (RF and ACCP) which are strong predictors of aggressive disease .
Serum calprotectin at a cut- off level of 93.9 µg/dl, had 88.6% sensitivity & 100% specificity for diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.