Aim: To evaluate the relationship between serum calprotectin and serum amyloid A with musculoskeletal ultrasonographic findings in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, as RA is the most common chronic inflammatory joint disease in which the infiltration and activation of inflammatory cells are important. Calprotectin and serum amyloid A protein are over-secreted in response to acute and chronic inflammation. Musculoskeletal ultrasound is more sensitive than physical examination for the evaluation of synovitis. Methods: A control group of 30 healthy individuals, 30 patients with active RA, and 30 patients with inactive RA participated in this cross-sectional study. Utilizing the RA disease activity (Disease Activity Score 28, DAS28) score was evaluated. Serum amyloid A and serum calprotectin were measured in all participants, and musculoskeletal ultrasound on the hands and wrists were done for all subjects. Results: A significant difference was observed among the studied groups with respect to serum calprotectin and serum amyloid A levels (P < 0.001). A significant positive correlation was observed between serum amyloid A and several inflammatory and clinical parameters, including C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), DAS28 score, serum calprotectin, and synovitis. Similarly, serum calprotectin levels demonstrated a significant positive correlation with ESR, DAS28 score, serum amyloid A, and synovitis. These findings highlight the potential value of both serum amyloid A and serum calprotectin as biomarkers reflecting disease activity and inflammatory burden in RA. Conclusions: Serum amyloid A and serum calprotectin can be used as markers of RA activity.
Shehata et al. (Mon,) studied this question.