Increased type I collagen degradation in early rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To evaluate the serum concentration of the mature, crosslinked carboxy terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) in patients with early onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to assess its correlation with clinically relevant features of the disease.
Methods: The serum ICTP concentration was measured in 99 adult patients with RA with a duration of disease less than one year. The main clinical outcome measures were joint count, modified Lansbury index, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), Larsen index and number of erosions in peripheral joints.
Results: There was a strong positive correlation (p < 0.001) between the serum ICTP concentration and the Lansbury joint index and a weaker but still significant correlation (p < 0.01) between the serum ICTP concentration and the number of eroded hand and foot joints.
Conclusion: Serum ICTP may have value as a marker of tissue destruction in patients with early RA.