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Objectives This study was designed to evaluate the role of anti-CD74 antibodies in diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and their relationship to disease duration and disease activity. Methods Fifty patients with axSpA, 15 patients with RA and 15 healthy subjects were included in the study. Clinical examination and laboratory tests were done. The ESR, CRP level and ASDAS were measured as markers of the disease activity. Quantitative determination of human CD74 IgG antibodies was done. Results The mean age of the patients was 38.22 (S.D.12.20) years. The level of CD74 autoantibodies was significantly higher in axSpA in comparison to control groups. Most patients with positive articular and extra-articular manifestations were positive for CD74 autoantibodies. In patients with inactive disease, 33.3% were positive for CD74 autoantibodies, as were 83% with active disease. High percentages of patients with early and late axSPA were CD74 autoantibody positive. The majority of patients with positive disease activity in early and late axSpA were CD74 autoantibody positive. CD74 autoantibodies had 80% sensitivity vs both control groups with 87% specificity vs the healthy control group and 80% vs the RA control group in the diagnosis of axSpA. Conclusions The frequency of positive anti-CD74 IgG antibodies was as high in patients with early axSpA as in those with late axSpA, with no significant differences. There was a significant difference in the frequency of positive anti-CD74 IgG antibodies between patients with positive and negative disease activity. Based on the sensitivity and specificity of anti-CD74 IgG, this is a promising diagnostic tool to support the clinical diagnosis of axSpA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most widespread chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease over the world. It is characterized by chronic proliferation of synovium, cartilage destruction, and periarticular erosion/bone loss. We investigated the serum levels of the C-telopeptide of type II collagen (CTX-II), Dickkopf-1 (DKK1), and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) in relationship to the disease activity. Material and methods: Serum COMP, CTX-II, and DKK1 levels were measured in 63 RA patients and 50 person age and gender matched as a healthy controls by ELISA test. Disease activity score (DAS) were calculated. Results: The mean level of and COMP and CTX-II were significantly higher in patients with RA than in healthy controls (5.71 ±7.04 vs. 2.70 ±1.31 ng/ml, and 0.45 ±0.27 vs. 0.23 ±0.16 ng/ml, respectively; p < 0.001). Also, DKK1 serum levels were significantly higher in patients with RA than in healthy controls (6970.68 ±7566.68 vs. 3276.96 ±1306.77 pg/m; p < 0.001). There was a positive significant correlation between DKK1 and swollen joint (r = 0.42, p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the number of patients, gender, the duration of RA disease, DAS, and RF. Sensitivity was 58.7% and specificity was 85.7% at a cut-off point (> 3.6 ng/ml) for serum COMP in RA patients, while, sensitivity was 100% and specificity was 52.4% at a cut-off point (> 0.15 ng/ml) for serum CTX-II and sensitivity was 68.3% and specificity was 95.2% at a cut-off point (> 4876 pg/ml) for serum DKK1. Conclusions: Measurement of some serological biomarkers such as CTX-II, COMP, and DKK1 that reflect bone and cartilage destruction in RA patients could be used to indicate disease activity and early joint affection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]