The association between elevated serum interleukin‐22 and the clinical diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis: A retrospective study

Abstract

Objective: There is an unmet need for a reliable biomarker for the differentiation of axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) from its mimickers. Serum levels of interleukin-22 (IL-22) have previously been found to be significantly elevated in patients with AxSpA compared with healthy individuals or persons with osteoarthritis.Methods: Consecutive patients with established or suspected AxSpA were enrolled.The clinical data, as well as results of laboratory and imaging studies, were acquired from patients' charts. The final diagnosis of definite or probable SpA, or an alternative diagnosis, was determined, and the serum levels of IL-22 were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent immunoassay.Results: Interleukin-22 levels were significantly higher in patients with definite AxSpA (29 patients) compared with patients with alternative diagnoses (14 patients) and healthy volunteers (16 individuals; P < 0.001 for both comparisons). The sensitivity and specificity of the serum IL-22 for the AxSpA diagnosis were 0.68 (95% CI 0.49-0.84) and 0.86 (95% CI 0.68-0.95), respectively, for the cut-off value of 5 pg/ mL. In patients with AxSpA, serum IL-22 levels did not correlate with modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score (mSASSS), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS), or serum C-reactive protein. Conclusion: Serum IL-22 levels are elevated in patients with the clinical diagnosis ofAxSpA and can potentially serve as an independent biomarker for the differentiation of AxSpA from its non-inflammatory mimickers.

No increased risk of alopecia in ankylosing spondylitis patients: A population‐based cohort study in Taiwan

“…Elevation of certain cytokines in circulation occurs in AS patients, such as IL‐12, IL‐17, IL‐22, and IL‐23 25–31 . Likewise, elevation of IL‐12, IL‐22, and IL‐23 is found in patients with alopecia areata 7,8,32,33 .…”

“…Elevation of certain cytokines in circulation occurs in AS patients, such as IL-12, IL-17, IL-22, and IL-23. [25][26][27][28][29][30][31] Likewise, elevation of IL-12, IL-22, and IL-23 is found in patients with alopecia areata. 7,8,32,33 Though the increase in circulatory cytokine level may enhance one's systemic inflammatory response and overall immunity, this may not imply a direct association between AS and alopecia, especially alopecia areata, according to the understanding of our study results.…”

Bone Involvement in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Spondyloartritis: An Updated Review

“…In particular, IL-22 showed damaging properties, being associated with joint destruction causing erosions in arthritic animal models [189]. Nevertheless, a definite role for IL-22 as a biomarker or therapeutic target in axSpA has yet not been identified [190], and its effects on bone do not appear to be solely confined to erosive properties.…”

Practical Significance of Biomarkers in Axial Spondyloarthritis: Updates on Diagnosis, Disease Activity, and Prognosis

“…IL-22 is a cytokine related to the IL-23/IL-17 axis and could be an independent biomarker for the differentiation of axSpA patients from non-inflammatory patients [ 45 ].…”