Objective To investigate the levels of serum bone metabolic markers and inflammatory factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods A total of 60 RA patients and 20 healthy controls were enrolled into this study. According to whether associated with osteoporosis, a total of 60 rheumatoid arthritis patients were divided into OP group (n=32) and NOP group (n=28). Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The level of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, PINP, CTX, OPG and IL-6 were detected by ELISA. Relevant clinical and laboratory data were also recorded. T-test was used for data analysis, and Pearson’s test was adopted for correlation analysis. Results ①Compared with the controls, the levels of BMD and PINP in RA patients decreased significantly, whereas the levels of CTX, IL-1β, IL-17 and IL-6 increased significantly (P<0.05). ②Compared with the NOP group, the levels of IL-1β, IL-17 and IL-6 increased significantly in the OP group (P<0.05). The levels of CTX and PINP in the OP group were higher than those in the non-OP group but there was no statistical difference between two groups.③The level of IL-1β was positively correlated with ESR (r=0.423, P<0. 05). The level of IL-6 was positively correlated with CRP, ESR and DAS28 (r=0.473, 0.370, 0.481, P<0. 05). The level of IL-17 was positively correlated with CRP, ESR and DAS28 (r=0.411, 0.367, 0.468, P<0. 05). The level of CTX was positively correlated with CRP, ESR and DAS28 (r=0.536, 0.488, 0.466, P<0. 05), but negatively correlated with the course of disease (r=-0.268, P<0. 05). PINP was not statistically different between two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion RA patients had a higher incidence of OP, and the levels of IL-1β, IL-17 and IL-6 were higher in OP patients than NOP patients. The levels of CTX, as well as PINP ratio correlated with disease activity and secondary osteoporosis in RA. These two bone metabolic markers can be used to understand the extent of bone destruction in patients with RA. |