The clinical significance of the anti-RA33 level in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

The early diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is of due significance for the prevention of possible damage to the joint tissue by means of treatment. Laboratory tests are very important for monitoring RA activity and for the evaluation of the patients' response to the treatment. Rheumatoid factor, so far the most commonly used test for the cases with suspected RA, is not a specific parameter despite its sensitivity to RA. The measurement of other autoantibodies might be helpful to the diagnosis particularly for the cases with low RF titer or with suspected diagnosis. The measurement of anti-RA33 autoantibodies is one of the tests used in the diagnosis of the RA cases. The present study was conducted to compare anti-RA33 levels of healthy individuals with long-term RA cases and to evaluate the value of anti-RA33 test for the RA diagnosis. Method: Total 40 patients (28 female and 12 male) identified with RA at least for the last five years according to the classification criteria of American College of Rheumatology (ACR) reviewed in 1987 and 40 healthy controls included in the present study. Results: AntiRA-33 level was determined as 12.47±4.97 U/mL for the patients with RA and as 1.96±1.82 U/mL for the healthy controls, and there is no statistically significant difference between the groups. Conclusions: As a result AntiRA-33 level was evaluated in RA patients and no difference was found compared to control group.