Serum Levels of Beta-2 Microglobulin in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients and its Relationship with Disease Activity: Can it be used as a Disease Activity Marker?

Abstract

Background Beta-2 microglobulin (β2M) is mainly released from activated lymphocytes. Increased serum β2M levels have been shown in autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to analyse the serum levels of β2M in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and to evaluate its relationship with disease activity measures.

Material and Methods This cross-sectional study included 137 RA patients, 102 ankylosing spondylitis patients (AS) and 50 healthy controls (HC). To assess the disease activity of RA patients, the 28-joint Disease Activity Score-Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (DAS28-ESR), the 28-joint Disease Activity Score-C-Reactive Protein (DAS28-CRP), the Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) and the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) were used. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results Serum β2M levels were significantly higher in RA patients (2.95±1.19 mg/L) compared with HC (2.21±0.54 mg/L) and AS patients (2.200.58 mg/L) (p<0.001). There was a statistically significant correlation between β2M levels and DAS28-ESR (rs=0.359, p<0.001), DAS28-CRP (rs=0.293, p=0.001), SDAI (rs=0.332, p<0.001) and CDAI (rs=0.291, p=0.001). Serum β2M levels were higher in the RA group with DAS28-ESR ≥3.2 (3.30±1.42 mg/L) than in the DAS28-ESR <3.2 group (2.67±0.87 mg/L) (p=0.002).

Conclusion Our study revealed that serum β2M levels were higher in RA patients than in healthy controls, and, in contrast to other studies, we found positive correlations between β2M levels and RA disease activity measures.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund Beta-2-Mikroglobulin (β2M) wird hauptsächlich aus aktivierten Lymphozyten freigesetzt. Erhöhte Serumlevel von β2M wurden bei Autoimmunerkrankungen nachgewiesen. Ziel dieser Studie war es, die Serum β2M-Level bei Patienten mit rheumatoider Arthritis (RA) zu analysieren und ihren Zusammenhang mit Messungen der Krankheitsaktivität zu bewerten.

Material-Methoden Diese Querschnittsstudie umfasste 137 RA, 102 Patienten mit Morbus Bechterew (MB) und 50 gesunde Kontrollen (GK). Zur Beurteilung der Krankheitsaktivität von RA-Patienten wurden 28 Gelenkaktivitäts-Score Blutsenkungsgeschwindigkeit (DAS28-BSG), 28 Gelenkaktivitäts-Score C-reaktives Protein (DAS28-CRP), vereinfachter Krankheitsaktivitätsindex (SDAI) und klinischer Krankheitsaktivitätsindex (CDAI) verwendet. Ein p-Wert von <0,05 wurde als statistisch signifikant angenommen.

Ergebnisse Die Serum β2M Konzentrationen waren bei RA-Patienten (2,95±1,19 mg/L) signifikant höher als bei GK (2,21±0,54 mg/L) und Spondylitis ankylosans (AS)-Patienten (2,20±0,58 mg/L) (p<0,001). Es bestand eine statistisch signifikante Korrelation zwischen den β2M Werten und DAS28-BSG (rs=0,359, p<0,001), DAS28-CRP (rs=0,293, p=0,001), SDAI (rs=0,332, p<0,001), CDAI (rs=0,291, p=0,001). Die Serum β2M-Levels waren in der RA-Gruppe mit DAS28-ESR≥3.2 (3,30±1,42 mg/L) höher als in der DAS28-ESR<3,2-Gruppe (2,67±0,87 mg/L) (p=0,002).

Diskussion Unsere Studie zeigte, dass die Serum β2M-Levels bei der RA höher als bei gesunden Kontrollen waren. Außerdem fanden wir positive Korrelationen zwischen den β2M-Levels und den Aktivitätswerten der RA im Gegensatz zu anderen Studien.

Key words

beta 2 microglobulin - rheumatoid arthritis - ankylosing spondylitis

Schlüsselwörter

Beta-2-Mikroglobulin - Rheumatoide Arthritis - Spondylitis ankylosans

Publication History

Article published online:
19 November 2020

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