Detection Of Serum Human Cartilage Glycoprotein-39 In Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis And Relation With Disease Activity

Objective:By examining and comparing the concentration of Human cartilage glycoprotein-39(HC gp-39) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), other rheumatic diseases and normal controls, analysing the correlation between HC gp-39 and clinical and laboratory markers, to explore the diagnostic value of serum HC gp-39 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to analyze the relationship between HC gp-39 and activity of RA.Methods:The serum levels of HC gp-39 were measured with Sandwich-ELISA in 40 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA),35 patients with other rheumatic diseases and 20 normal controls. The serum levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), rheumatoid factor (RF) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were examined. The number of painful joints, the number of swollen joints, hands X-ray and disease activity score 28 were recorded. The correlation among them and HC gp-39 were compared.Results:1. Serum HC gp-39 levels of RA patients were (31.95±18.54) ng/ml, higher than that of normal controls (18.93±13.49) ng/ml (P<0.01) and patients with SLE (20.75±11.26) ng/ml (P<0.05).There was no difference in the concentration of HC gp-39 between the normal control group and the SLE group (P > 005)2. Serum levels of HC gp-39 were higher in 25 active patients (37.92±19.58) ng/ml than that in 15 inactive patients (22.00±11.41) ng/ml (P<0.01)3. HC gp-39 levels were positively correlated with RF and CCP.4. HC gp-39 levels were positively correlated with the number of the painful joints ,the number of swollen joints, RF,CRP, ESR, morning stiffness and DAS28(P <0.05).5. HC gp-39 levels were not correlated with age, gender, disease course, and X-ray stage(P>0.05).Conclusion: 1. The present date suggests that the levels of HC gp-39 are high in patients with RA. High serum levels of HC gp-39 indicate high disease activity. We can use HC gp-39 as a laboratory marker of RA.2. High serum levels of HC gp-39 indicate high disease activity in RA patients.3. There was positive correlation among serum levels of HC gp-39, anti-CCP antibody and RF, combining HC gp-39, anti-CCP antibody and RF can increase early diagnosis value for RA, indicating it is a useful laboratory marker for rheumatoid arthritis.