Functional disability is related to serum chemerin levels in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Adipokines, especially chemerin, can interact with cytokines and other molecules in inflammation. To date, there is insufficient information regarding a possible correlation between functional disability and chemerin and other pro-inflammatory molecules in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To identify the association of functional disability with serum chemerin and other pro-inflammatory molecules, including other adipokines, cytokines and E-selectin, in patients with RA. Cross-sectional study. Assessment: disease activity (DAS28-ESR) and functional disability (HAQ-DI). We compared the adipokines (chemerin, leptin, adiponectin, resistin, and visfatin), cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-18) and E-selectin levels between RA with functional disability and RA non-disabled patients. Of 82 patients with RA, 43 (52%) had functional disability. The RA with functional disability group had higher chemerin (140 vs. 112 ng/mL, p = 0.007) than the non-disabled RA group. Chemerin correlated with the HAQ-DI (rho = 0.27, p = 0.02) and DAS28-ESR (rho = 0.21, p = 0.05). Severe activity correlated with IL-6 (rho = 0.33, p = 0.003) and E-selectin (rho = 0.23, p = 0.03) but not with disability. No other pro-inflammatory molecules correlated with HAQ-DI. High chemerin levels were associated with functional disability in RA, whereas no other molecules correlated with loss of function. These results encourage further studies assessing new roles of chemerin as a marker of impairment in RA.

Serum chemerin levels: A potential biomarker of joint inflammation in women with rheumatoid arthritis

“…Similar to our findings, Herenius et al and Maijer et al also found a correlation with CRP [12,26]. Also consistent with these findings, our group previously reported that serum levels of chemerin were correlated with disability function in a small group of patients with RA [15].…”

“…In early RA patients managed using the treat to target strategy, Tolusso et al identified that chemerin levels can be considered a predictor of early remission of inflammation [17]; however, other studies are required to validate these findings. These data published in the literature support the hypothesis that chemerin levels are related to disease activity in RA [11,15,18]. Nevertheless, there are no previous studies assessing the relation between the persistence of disease activity in RA patients treated with DMARDs and serum chemerin levels.…”

“…Recently, our group have reported the results of a study assessing the relation between chemerin levels and functional disability [15]. In this report performed in a small group of patients with RA, was identified that those subjects with impairment in the functioning had increased serum chemerin levels, mainly among patients who had high disease activity [15]. In persons with noninflammatory rheumatic disorders, chemerin levels are associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome [16].…”

Effects of One-Year Tofacitinib Therapy on Lipids and Adipokines in Association with Vascular Pathophysiology in Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…Multivariable analysis confirmed association with IMT. Chemerin was previously correlated with disease activity, BMI, CRP, RF, ESR and CCP [ 67 , 68 ].…”

Organokines in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Critical Review

“…In an observational cross-sectional study, Vazquez-Villegas et al [ 163 ] evaluated the chemerin serum levels and the occurrence of functional disabilities among women with RA. In all, data from 82 patients (35–75 years old) were analyzed, and 43 of them presented at a minimum of one functional affection.…”