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Aim: Our aim is to assess comparative interleukin 4 and interleukin 13 levels in serum and in synovial fluid for patients with psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis as well as comparative evaluation of serum levels of these antiinflammatory cytokines with lumbar T score. Methods: The study was performed on three groups: group 1 consists of 27 patients with psoriatic arthritis, group 2 consists of 21 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and the control group consists of 20 healthy patients. For each of these groups we have identified the anti-inflammatory cytokines in blood and synovial fluid. We also established a clinically useful correlation between blood concentration of these cytokines and lumbar T score. Results: In group 1 serum IL-4 in most patients showed no detectable serum concentration, and IL- 13 had values between 2.67 and 4.99 pg/ml, p1

Determination of bone mineral density in patients with psoriatic arthritis and its correlation with the development of the disease.Three groups of patients were recruited: group 1--patients with psoriasis arthritis; group 2--patients with rheumatoid arthritis, group 3--control group. Group 1 was divided into: group 1A--patients with disease duration5 years and group 1B--patients with disease duration5 years. Bone mineral density was determined for total hip by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).In the group 1A BMD values of total femur were between -1.32 and -1.68 DS; in the group 1B BMD values of total femur were between 1B -1.58 and - 1.77DS; in the group 2 BMD values of total femur were between -2.51 and -3.41 DS and in the control group BMD values of total femur were between 0.29 and 1.3 DS. In patients with psoriatic arthritis, the duration of arthritis was negatively correlated with BMD values of total femur. In conclusion, psoriatic patients with longer duration of disease may be at a risk for osteoporosis, which can require preventative treatment efforts.

To investigate the blood levels of bone remodeling factors (RANKL, OPG and Bone-ALP) in psoriatic arthritis patients.Included in this study were 27 patients with psoriatic arthritis (CASPAR classification criteria) and 20 healthy subjects. The RANKL , OPG and Bone-ALP levels have been quantified by ELISA method.Peripheral blood concentrations were higher in psoriatic arthritis than in the healthy subjects, and a strong negative correlation between RANKL and OPG and between RANKL and Bone-ALP was also found.The increase in OPG and Bone-ALP serum level is strongly related to the increase in RANKL serum level in patients with psoriatic arthritis. The increase in OPG and Bone-ALP serum level induces the production of bone matrix parallel to the bone destruction mediated by RANKL. The follow up of the patients with psoriatic arthritis by early RANKL, OPG and Bone-ALP serum level determinations, and of bone metabolism markers (with specific role in bone remodeling), allows an accurate evaluation of disease activity and, in the future, could be a criterion for the initiation of specific, targeted treatment.

The aim of this study was to investigate the blood level of bone turnover markers: osteoprotegerin (OPG), bone alkaline phosphatase (Bone-ALP), and receptor activator of NF-kappa B ligand (RANKL) of patients with psoriatic arthritis.Twenty-four patients with psoriatic arthritis (CASPAR classification criteria) and twenty healthy controls were included. The OPG, Bone-ALP and RANKL levels were quantified by using ELISA method.Peripheral blood levels of bone turnover markers were higher in psoriatic arthritis than martors and there was a strong negative correlation between OPG-RANKL and Bone-ALP- RANKL.The OPG and Bone-ALP serum level is strongly negative related to the increase in RANKL serum level in patients with psoriatic arthritis. The increase in OPG and Bone-ALP serum level induces the production of bone matrix parallel to the bone destruction mediated by RANKL. Follow up of patients with psoriatic arthritis, by use of early determination of RANKL, OPG and Bone-ALP serum levels, and also of bone metabolism markers (they have specific role in bone remodeling), allows a precise evaluation of disease activity and, in future, could be a criteria for the initiation of specific, targeting treatment.