Serum ADA and C-reactive Protein in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Immunological and inflammatory reactions play a pivotal role in the initiation and perpetuation of rheumatoid arthritis. The present study is an attempt to estimate the levels of adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity, a marker for cell mediated immunity and C-reactive protein a marker for inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.75 cases presenting rheumatoid arthritis and same number of age and sex matched healthy controls were included in the study. Serum ADA activity was measured spectrophotometrically at 630 nm and serum C-reactive protein was detected using Avitex CRP kit, which is a rapid latex agglutination test. The mean ADA levels were 59.79 ± 21.09 in patients and 20.71 ± 5.63 in controls, significant at p< 0.01. CRP test was found to be positive in 69/75 cases of RA and none of the controls. The present study observed the importance of ADA as a serum marker in addition to CRP for better therapeutic management of RA.