Study Of TNF-α And Erythropoietin In Patients Suffering From Rheumatoid Arthritis With Anemia Of Chronic Disease

ObjectiveTo clarify the role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF- α ) and erythropoietin(EPO) in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis(RA) with anemia of chronic disease(ACD).MethodThe study included 4 groups: RA, RA-ACD, RA-iron-deflciency anemia(namely RA-IDA), and normal control. The serum levels of TNF- α and EPO in all groups were detected by ELISA method and automated chemiluminescemice immunoassay. Iron metabolism markers in serum of the RA groups were determined at the same time.ResultThe levels of TNF- α in serum of RA group and RA-ACD group were both significantly higher than those of the normal controls(P<0.05).The levels of TNF- α were inversely correlated with the levels of serum iron and hemoglobin.