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Egyptian Rheumatology and Rehabilitation
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Interleukin-17 level in rheumatoid arthritis patients and its relation to disease activity: a clinical and ultrasound study

Egyptian Rheumatology and Rehabilitation volume 42, pages 183–187 (2015)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study was to measure the level of interleukin-17A (IL-17A) in the serum and synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its relation to disease activity.

Patients and methods

A total of 100 patients suffering from RA were chosen from the outpatient clinic, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Menoufia University Hospital. The patient group was divided into three subgroups — mild, moderate, and severe — according to the disease activity score. All patients were subjected to clinical, laboratory, and ultrasound evaluation and to measurement of IL-17A in the serum and synovial fluid by means of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Fifty healthy individuals were evaluated for IL-17A level in the blood, and served as the control group.

Results

The present study revealed an increase in serum (P = 3.1) and synovial fluid (P = 5.2) IL-17A levels in RA patients with increased disease activity. The ultrasound study showed an increase in serum IL-17A levels with increased erosion of the knee (P= 5.99) and wrist (P= 5.03). There was an increase in serum IL-17A with increased effusion of the knee (P = 22.6) and wrist (P = 33.3). There was an increase in serum IL-17A with increased synovial hypertrophy of the knee (P = 6.39), wrist (P = 12.23), and second metacarpophalangeal (MCP) (P = 53.34). Finally, there was an increase in the blood IL-17A level, dryness of the eye (P = 3.8), dryness of the mouth (P = 3.2), and number of subcutaneous nodules (P = 2.5).

Conclusion

In our study; the mean serum and synovial IL-17A levels were found in high titers in patients with disease activity, and with extra-articular manifestations like dry eyes, dry mouth, and subcutaneous nodules. Also erosions, synovial hypertrophy, and effusions were found with significantly high titers of IL-17A, denoting its usefulness as a measurement tool for high disease activity and destruction. Also targeting IL-17A may be useful as a treatment option for aggressive disease and for rheumatoid patients with poor prognosis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rheumatology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Elzagazig University, Egypt

    Abd Elsamad I. Elhewala

  2. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Menoufia University, Egypt

    Samar G. Soliman, Alaa Abdel-Aziz Labeeb PhD & Dalia Salah

  3. Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Egypt

    Waleed A. Mousa

Authors
  1. Abd Elsamad I. Elhewala
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  2. Samar G. Soliman
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  3. Alaa Abdel-Aziz Labeeb PhD
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  4. Waleed A. Mousa
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  5. Dalia Salah
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alaa Abdel-Aziz Labeeb PhD.

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Elhewala, A.E.I., Soliman, S.G., Labeeb, A.AA. et al. Interleukin-17 level in rheumatoid arthritis patients and its relation to disease activity: a clinical and ultrasound study. Egypt Rheumatol Rehabil 42, 183–187 (2015). https://doi.org/10.4103/1110-161X.168164

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/1110-161X.168164

Keywords

  • disease activity score
  • interleukin-17
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • ultrasonography