Collagen triple helix repeat containing 1 (CTHRC1) protein: A promising biomarker for evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis patients

Abstract

Aim of the workTo assess serum collagen triple helix repeat containing 1 (CTHRC1) protein level in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and compare it with healthy controls. In addition, to evaluate the relation of its level with RA activity and severity Patients and methodsThe study included 60 adult RA patients and 60 matched controls. Disease activity score (DAS28), modified health assessment questionnaire (MHAQ) and RA medical records-based index of severity (RARBIS) were assessed in RA patients. Serum CTHRC1 levels were measured in patients and controls by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) ResultsThey were 49 females and 11 males patients with a mean age of 43.6 ± 10.8 years and disease duration of 8.8 ± 0.9 years. The mean of DAS28 was 4.9 ± 2 (1.95–8.6). Serum CTHRC1 levels were significantly higher in patients than controls (1009.5 ± 79.4 vs. 470.7 ± 8.2 ng/ml, p < 0.001).The optimum cut-off value of CTHRC1 to discriminate patients from control was > 583.5 ng/ml with sensitivity of 98.3% and specificity of 100%. CTHRC1 significantly correlated with DAS28 (r = 0.81, p < 0.001), MHAQ (r = 0.14, p = 0.002), RARBIS (r = 0.41, p = 0.006), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (r = 0.57, p < 0.001), C-reactive protein (CRP) (r = 0.41, p = 0.002), rheumatoid factor (RF) (r = 0.31, p = 0.037) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) (r = 0.27, p = 0.036). The significant predictors of increase CTHRC1 among patients were elevation in DAS28 (ß=287.6; p = 0.007, CI = 83.4–491.9) and MHAQ (ß=369.7; p = 0.042, CI = 14.5–724.9) ConclusionSerum CTHRC1 is a promising biomarker for evaluation of RA patients. It can be used as a marker for RA diagnosis and in monitoring the disease activity and severity.