Background Insufficient levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) influence the knee joint cartilage and lead to development and progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA). The purpose of this study was to determine the status of serum 25-OHD levels in patients with knee OA compared with controls. Methods A total of 148 patients with knee OA and 150 controls were studied. Serum 25-OHD was measured by the ELISA method and concentrations<20 ng/ml were considered as deficient levels. Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparisons of means and logistic regression analysis with calculation of odds ratio (OR) was applied to determine association. Results The mean ages of patients and controls were 60.2± 12.9 and 60.1±10.2 years, respectively (P=0.23). In the entire population the mean serum 25-OHD in OA patients was not significantly lower than controls (P=0.28), but in subgroup analysis the mean 25-OHD in OA patients aged <60 years was significantly lower than controls (23.8±18.8 vs. 34.5.±29.6 ng/ml, P=0.01). In this age group knee OA was significantly associated with serum 25-OHD deficiency which remained significant after adjusting for age and sex (adjusted OR=2.26, 95% CI 1.15-4.4, P=0.018). A greater association was observed in patients aged<55 years (OR=2.63, 95% CI 1.16-5.95, P= 0.01); whereas the association between OA and serum 25-OHD deficiency in patients aged ≥60 years did not reach a significant level. Conclusion These findings indicate a significant association between serum 25-OHD deficiency and knee OA in patients aged < 60 years and suggest serum 25-OHD measurement in any patient with symptoms suggestive of knee OA particularly at the initial stage of disease.

These findings indicate that in hemodialysis patients, the inflammatory process alters hemoglobin level in converse correlation with CRP concentration with a linear relationship pattern. Serum iron <54 µg/dl indicates iron deficiency anemia with high accuracy.

This work was carried out in collaboration between all authors. Author BH Designed the study, and wrote the first draft of manuscript, reviewed literature and managed the analysid of the study. Author YJ Selected the study patients. Author PH Collaborated in data collection study design. Author NH Contributed in clinical examination of the study patients.Author KHT Performed statistical analysis. Author ARF Performed laboratory tests. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Aim: During treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) the serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) decrease concurrent with clinical improvement. The aim of this paper is to investigate whether changes of these parameters could predict treatment response. Methods:Patients with active RA, requiring disease-modyfying antirheumatic drugs were entered into the study. Serum CRP and ESR were assessed at baseline and 24 weeks after the treatment. Response to treatment was assessed by the RA Disease activity Score 28 (DAS28) and DAS28-CRP response criteria. In statistical analysis the agreement between changes of CRP and ESR at the first stage of the treatment and DAS28/DAS28-CRP were determined as 'good', 'moderate' and 'none' responses. The relationship between changes in CRP and DAS28-CRP, ESR and DAS28 were also determined and compared. Results:Sixty-six patients with active RA entered the study. The mean age was 50 ± 18 years and the mean disease duration was 4.9 ± 5.8 years. After an average period of 24 weeks, 51 patients met the DAS28 and 49 patients met the DAS28-CRP response criteria as good or moderate responders. Over the treatment period a reduction of serum CRP predicted 90% of DAS28-CRP responders and reduction of ESR predicted 97% of DAS28 responders, whereas a lack of CRP or ESR reductions predicted 54% and 45% non-responders, respectively. Overall, the accuracy of changes in CRP and ESR in predicting treatment response according to DAS28-CRP and DAS28 response criteria were 77% and 73%, respectively. CRP/DAS28-CRP was more sensitive but less specific than ESR/DAS28 in predicting treatment response. Conclusion:Changes of CRP or ESR at the first stage of treatment can predict treatment response. Hence, measurement of serum CRP and ESR furnishes a reliable quantitative means for early anticipation of treatment response.