Abstract
BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease, characterized by symmetric erosive synovitis, leading inevitably to the destruction of cartilage and bone as well as bursa and tendon sheaths of joints (1-2). Another ADs is celiac disease (CD) caused by the digestion of gluten in genetically predisposed individuals leading to inflammation and damage in the lining of small intestine (3). Moreover, recent studies have shown that RA patients could suffer from CD (4-5).ObjectivesIn this study, we decode the association of CD in RA patients using key clinical risk factors.MethodsEighty-two RA patients were categorized into RA and RA with CD cohorts based on serum levels of Tissue Transglutaminase (IgA-TTG) autoantibodies. Besides, clinical parameters such as ESR, RF, CRP, MCV, anti-MCV, WBC, FBS, HbA1C, Albumin, Ca2+ and VitD3 were analyzed in healthy volunteers, RA, and RA with CD cohorts respectively.ResultsOur results showed that RF, CRP, FBS, HbA1C, Anti-MCV, and IgA-TTG concentrations were significantly increased in both RA and RA with CD cohorts than healthy controls. IgA-TTG levels were significantly raised in RA with CD cohorts compared with RA. On the other hand, anti-MCV levels were significantly increased in RA compared to RA with CD group. Besides, both RA and RA with CD cohorts have significantly reduced levels of VitD3 and Albumin in the serum compared with healthy controls.ConclusionsOur study shows that RA and RA with CD cohorts have poor glycemic rheostat compared to healthy controls. Higher serum IgA-TTG levels in both RA and RA with CD cohorts indicate the susceptibility of RA patients to develop CD. The reduction in serum VitD3 levels in both RA and RA with CD associates further worsens disease prognosis. Our study, however, provide clue(s) for the differential diagnosis of RA patients with CD and guides in formulating personalized treatment programs for efficient therapeutic outcomes in these patients.ReferencesZeman MN, Scott PJ. Current imaging strategies in rheumatoid arthritis. Am J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2012;2:174-220.Okada Y, Wu D, Trynka G, et al. Genetics of rheumatoid arthritis contributes to biology and drug discovery. Nature 2014;506:376-381.Lauret E, Rodrigo L. Celiac disease and autoimmune-associated conditions. Biomed Res Int 2013:127589.Meyer O. Is the celiac disease model relevant to rheumatoid arthritis? Joint Bone Spine 2004;71:4-6.Michelin CM, Aikawa NE, Diniz JC, et al. Association of systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis and celiac disease - a case report. Acta Reumatol Port 2011;36:404-407Disclosure of InterestNone declared