Serum matrix metalloproteinase-3 in rheumatoid arthritis patients: Correlation with disease activity and joint destruction

Abstract

Aim of the workThis study was designed to measure the serum level of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and its correlation with functional status, disease activity and joint damage. Patients and methodsThe study included 50 RA patients satisfying 2010 ACR/EULAR classification criteria recruited from Bani-Suef University Hospital and 20 controls. Functional disability was assessed according to Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (MHAQ). Disease activity score in 28-joints (DAS28) and visual analogue scale (VAS) of pain were evaluated. Radiological joint damage was assessed by Van der Heijde-modified Sharp Score (vdHSS). Serum levels of MMP-3 were measured for all subjects. ResultsRA patients (44 females and 6 males) had a mean age of 46.36±13.63years and disease duration of 5.6±4.75years. Serum MMP-3 levels were higher in patients than in controls (46.78±46.99 versus 1.98±1.71ng/ml respectively, p=0.0001) and significantly correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p=0.001) and were significantly higher in patients with positive C-reactive protein, rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (p=0.0001, p=0.009, p=0.042, respectively). MMP-3 significantly correlated with DAS28 (p=0.0001) and vdHSS (r=0.78, p=0.0001) and a significant difference was shown in those with erosions compared to those without (p=0.001). Serum MMP-3 levels significantly correlated negatively with cumulative steroid dose (r=−0.2, p=0.03) and were significantly higher in patients who never received disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (p=0.001). There were no significant relations of MMP-3 with age, MHAQ, VAS for pain. ConclusionThese results indicate that serum MMP-3 is a measurable, useful specific marker of disease activity and joint damage in RA patients.