Study of predictive value of capillaroscopic pattern and serum level of interleukin-17 in rheumatoid vasculitis patients

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate nailfold capillaroscopic (NC) abnormalities and serum interleukin (IL)-17) level among rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with or without vasculitis. Patients and methods The study was carried on a group of RA Egyptian patients (n=40) who were diagnosed with RA based on ACR criteria. These 40 patients were further divided into two groups. Group 1 included RA patients with clinical signs of skin vasculitis and NC changes (n=6). Group 2 included RA patients with no clinical signs of skin vasculitis and no NC changes (n=34). All patients were subjected to demographic data collection, clinical examination, Disease Activity Score (DAS) 28 calculation, laboratory measurement (including erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibody, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody, anticyclic citrullinated peptide, and IL-17), and NC examination. In addition, group 1 (n=6) was further subjected to electrophysiological evaluation by peripheral nerve conduction studies. Results Significantly elevated levels of IL-17 and characteristic NC changes were seen in RA vasculitis patients. Conclusion Rheumatoid vasculitis is associated with significantly elevated levels of serum IL-17 and characteristic NC changes.