Background
Calprotectin is a protein released during the activation and turnover of leukocytes. It
can be used as a biomarker of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis
(RA).
Aim
The current study aimed to measure the serum level of calprotectin in RA patients,
recently diagnosed and after initiation of treatment, to determine its association with
clinical disease, synovial inflammation determined by Ultrasound (US), and its
relation to therapy when compared with other inflammatory markers.
Patients and methods
A total of 32 patients with recent RA and 20 healthy individuals were assessed for
serum calprotectin level (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). C-reactive protein
(CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were also measured in patients
who were reassessed 4 months after initiation of therapy. Disease activity was
evaluated by the disease activity score of 28 joints (DAS28), and US assessment
was performed.
Results
The mean level of serum calprotectin was significantly higher (P