Study of mineral status & alkaline phosphatase activity in rheumatoid arthritis patients in Shivamogga district

Abstract

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a prototypical inflammatory joint disease of unknown etiology affecting various joints of the body leading to stiffness, swelling, pain, and finally functional inability. Elevated serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a common feature in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its origin remains unclear. Inflammatory conditions are more likely to alter mineral status. Aim of the Study: The aim of this study was to investigate the level of serum ALP, Calcium, Phosphorus & Magnesium levels in Rheumatoid arthritis patients and compare it with healthy subjects. Materials and Methods: Fifty four RA patients and fifty four age matched healthy controls between 35-65 years were included in the study. Serum Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium & ALP activity were measured in all the subjects and correlated. Results: Serum ALP (145.17±15.87 versus 83.19±17.55 U/L) and phosphorus levels (4.84±0.24 versus 3.84±0.44 mg/dl) were found significantly higher; serum Calcium (7.66±0.34 versus 9.27±0.49) and serum Magnesium levels (1.72±0.24 versus 1.95±0.29 were found to be lower in RA cases as compared to controls and were statistically significant (p Conclusion: Increase in ALP in RA patients when compared to healthy controls suggests the role of serum ALP as a marker of disease activity in RA. The altered mineral status in rheumatoid arthritis, observed in this study reflects on the pathogenesis of RA. Therefore we conclude that serum ALP & mineral estimation can also be used as markers of disease activity in rheumatoid Arthritis. Keywords: Alkaline phosphatase, Serum calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Rheumatoid arthritis.