Relationship of serum copper and HLADR4 tissue typing to disease activity and severity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A cross sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disabling disease associated with high burden on individuals and national health system. Early detection of rheumatoid arthritis is helpful in management and preventing further complications. ObjectiveTo assess the relationship between each of serum copper and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR tissue typing with the activity and severity of rheumatoid arthritis. MethodsThis study was an observational prospective cross sectional study implemented in the Rzgary general teaching hospital in Erbil governorate-Iraq from November 1, 2019, to October 31, 2020. Study sample included fifty rheumatoid arthritis patients. The diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis was done according to 2010-American College of Rheumatology-European League against Rheumatism criteria. The serum copper and HLA-DR4 typing were assessed in regard to activity and severity of rheumatoid arthritis patients. ResultsThis study found that high serum copper level was directly related to both active and severe rheumatoid arthritis disease (p < 0.001). Additionally, this study revealed that positive HLADR4 typing was related to severe rheumatoid arthritis disease (p < 0.001). This study revealed no significant relationship between rheumatoid arthritis activity and severity with HLADR4 subtypes. ConclusionsThe serum copper level and HLA-DR typing of patients with rheumatoid arthritis may be useful in prediction of rheumatoid arthritis disease activity and severity.