Serum ?2-microglobulin levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and the relationship with disease activity [Romatoi?d artri?t'li? hastalarda serum ?2- mi?kroglobuli?n sevi?yesi? ve hastalik akti?vi?tesi? i?le i?li?şki?si?]

Abstract

?2 microglobulin forms the light chain of class I antigen HLA-B27, which are present on the membranes of all nucleated cells. Elevated serum ?2 microglobulin levels have been reported in some diseases related with kidney, and in some malignant, inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. This study was planned to investigate the levels of serum ?2-microglobulin levels in rheumatoid arthritis, and its relationship to clinical and laboratory parameters of disease activity. 33 rheumatoid arthritis patients, being 28 female and 5 male, and 21 healthy control cases were included in the study. A detailed physical examination was performed for all cases, and cbc, liver and kidney function tests, urinary analysis, ESR, CRP, rheumatoid factor, and serum ?2 microglobulin were studied in all cases. For clinical assessment of the disease activity VAS, duration of early morning stiffness, and pain and swelling of the joints were evaluated. The mean age of the patients were 48.94 ± 9.77, and there was no difference between the patient and the control groups regarding the age and the sex.. Serum ?2 microglobulin levels were found to be 2578.54 ± 963.61 ?g/l, and 1917.42 ± 769.40 ?g/l respectively in rheumatoid arthritis and control groups, and the difference was statistically significant. There was a positive correlation between the serum ?2 microglobulin levels, and age, ESR, and CRP. In conclusion, that it may be dependent on age should be taken into consideration when evaluating the serum ?2 microglobulin levels. Though serum ?2 microglobulin levels were correlated with acute phase reactants, there was no relation with clinical evaluation.