Comparative Assessment of the Immunological Significance of Semaphorin 5A and Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibodies in Iraqi Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

The objective of this research was to assess the predictive potential of Semaphorin 5A in comparison to Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide antibodies for forecasting disease progression and treatment responses among Iraqi patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Conducted as a case-control study, the investigation encompassed a total of 150 participants, comprising 100 RA patients and 50 healthy individuals. The study took place at Baghdad Teaching Hospital over the period from November 2021 to February 2022. Enrolled participants were selected based on the 2010 criteria established by the American College of Rheumatology. The levels of biomarkers were assessed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The findings demonstrated a noteworthy elevation in the levels of both ACCP and Semaphorin 5A among RA patients compared to the control group (p<0.001). Furthermore, these levels were found to be higher in individuals with active disease as opposed to those with inactive disease. In both active and inactive disease states, the levels of both ACCP and Semaphorin 5A remained considerably higher compared to the levels observed in the healthy control group (p<0.001). In patients who had not undergone treatment, the levels of both ACCP and Semaphorin 5A exhibited considerably greater significance compared to those who received Methotrexate or etanercept (p<0.001). A noteworthy and positive correlation was observed between ACCP and Semaphorin 5A, with a correlation coefficient of 0.476 (p<0.001). The sensitivity for ACCP and Semaphorin 5A was determined to be 72% and 83% respectively, while the specificity values were 98% and 76%. The study's conclusion highlighted the promising prognostic potential of both ACCP and Semaphorin 5A, establishing them as potential biomarkers for distinguishing between Rheumatoid Arthritis patients and healthy individuals. Predict disease activity and response to methotrexate or etanercept. Active disease patients and without treatments patients ACCP and Semaphorin5A levels were higher than inactive and received treatments (methotrexate or etanercept).