Serum Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Levels Research Articles

Comparison of the efficacy and safety of methotrexate alone or in combination with leflunomide in the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common chronic rheumatic disorder in children. Although methotrexate (MTX) is the first line disease-modifying antirheumatic drug for JIA, many patients do not respond well or cannot tolerate MTX. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of combination therapy of MTX and leflunomide (LFN) with MTX in patients who do not respond to MTX. Eighteen patients (2-20 years old) with polyarticular, oligoarticular or extended oligoarticular subtypes of JIA who did not respond to conventional JIA therapy participated in this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. The intervention group received LFN and MTX for 3 months while the control group received oral placebo and MTX at a similar dose to the intervention group. Response to treatment was assessed every 4 weeks using the American College of Rheumatology Pediatric criteria (ACRPed) scale. Clinical criteria, including number of active joints and restricted joints, physician and patient global assessment, Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ38) score, and serum erythrocyte sedimentation ratelevel, did not differ significantly between groups at baseline and at the end of the 4th and 8th weeks of treatment. Only the CHAQ38 score was significantly higher in the intervention group at the end of the 12th week of treatment. Analysis of the effect of treatment on study parameters revealed that only the global patient assessment score differed significantly between groups (p = 0.003). The results of this study showed that combining LFN with MTX does not improve clinical outcomes of JIA and may increase side effects in patients who do not respond to MTX.

Review Article on the Relationship between Spondyloarthritis and Osteoporosis

Introduction: To investigate the relationship between spondyloarthritis (SpA) and osteoporosis including any association or prediction, and hence suggesting a plan of screening and management for osteoporosis in SpA. Methods: 168 and 538 research articles with keywords “osteoporosis” and “spondyloarthritis” or “ankylosing spondylitis” conducted between 1990 and 2021 were collected in Medline and PubMed, respectively. Focused review was conducted in 34 articles. Results: Osteoporosis is a common comorbidity in both ankylosing spondylitis and spondyloarthropathy as suggested by multiple studies across different countries, with a reduction in bone mineral density (BMD) and altered bone microarchitecture in vertebrae and cortical bone of proximal femur, leading to an increased risk of vertebral fractures and sarcopenia. Associated factors include male sex, advanced age, long disease duration, high serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), decreased femoral and lateral lumbar BMD, and high radiological indices. It is likely to be related to chronic systemic inflammation and immobility. Serum uric acid level, certain genes and antibodies may also contribute to the pathology. The likelihood of osteoporosis in SpA can be evaluated by trabecular bone score, which are negatively correlated with serum levels of ESR and C-reactive protein (CRP). Alendronate with adequate dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D is the recommended management. Conclusion: The prevalence of osteoporosis is higher in patients with SpA due to the chronic presence of pro-inflammatory cytokines, functional impairment, and steroid therapy. With the help of inflammatory markers, imaging and radiological indices, the risk of osteoporosis, and vertebral fractures can be predicted. The management plan should be modified to include prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

Correlations of Different Serological Parameters with the Severity and Prognosis of Pneumonia in Children Infected with Mycoplasma Pneumoniae.

As a common pediatric respiratory disease, Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) accounts for 20 - 30% of acquired pneumonia in children, with a rising morbidity rate annually. We aimed to explore the correlations of different serological parameters with the severity and prognosis of MPP children. A total of 108 MPP children were divided into severe group (n = 58) and mild group (n = 50). The serum levels of triglycerides, HDL-C, LDL-C, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), D-dimer (DD), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), interleukin-6 (IL-6), galectin-3 (Gal-3), homocysteine (Hcy), and procalcitonin (PCT) were measured. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to analyze their predictive values for poor prognosis. They were followed up for 6 months and assigned into good and poor prognosis groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the serological parameters affecting prognosis. A prediction model was established. In acute and recovery phases, the levels of ESR, DD, LDH, IL-6, Gal-3, Hcy, and PCT in the severe group were significantly higher than those in the mild group (p < 0.05). Prediction combining various serological parameters had the highest value for poor prognosis. ESR, DD, LDH, IL-6, Gal-3, Hcy, and PCT levels were independent risk factors. The concordance index of the nomogram model established using these factors was 0.745 (95% CI: 0.684 - 0.830). The area under the ROC curve was 0.726 (95% CI: 0.701 - 0.815). The predicted probability of the model was consistent with the actual one, showing high accuracy. Serum levels of ESR, DD, LDH, IL-6, Gal-3, Hcy, and PCT are closely correlated with the severity and prognosis of MPP children, which provide references for prognostic evaluation. Prediction combining these indices is more valuable than that using a single index.

Effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Berberis integerrima on the clinical signs, hs-CRP, TNFα, and ESR in active rheumatoid arthritis patients

AimTo evaluate the effects of Barberry (Berberis integerrima) on clinical signs and inflammatory factors in patients with Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MethodA total of 70 patients with active RA in a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (IRCT 201409249472N7) were randomly allocated to intervention and control groups. All the patients consumed 1500 mg of barberry extract and 1500 mg Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) each day respectively for three months. Clinical signs and serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were measured before and after the intervention. ResultsThe results showed that consumption of the extract of Berberis integerrima resulted in a significant decrease in Visual Analog Scale (VAS), morning stiffness, number of tender joints, Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28), Global Physician Assessment (GPA), serum levels of ESR, TNFα (p < 0.001), and hs-CRP (p < 0.01) in intervention group compared to the control group. Changes in the number of inflamed joints, the necessity for the administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (p = 0.02), and glucocorticoids (p < 0.001) were significant only in the intervention group. ConclusionBarberry can improve clinical signs and inflammatory factors in RA patients and may be useful in their treatment approaches.

Diagnostic Value of Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and C Reactive Protein in detecting Diabetic Foot Osteomyelitis; a Cross-sectional Study.

Osteomyelitis is one of the complications of diabetic foot infection. The present study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C reactive protein (CRP) in detection of osteomyelitis in patients with diabetic foot. In this cross-sectional study, serum levels of ESR and CRP were measured for patients with diabetic foot referring to emergency department or endocrinology clinic and the screening performance characteristics of these markers in detection of osteomyelitis were calculated. The diagnosis of osteomyelitis was based on clinical examination and positive probe-to-bone test, which was confirmed by plain x-rays or MRI. 142 diabetic patients with an average age of 61.2 ± 11.8 years were evaluated (66.2 % male). The area under the ROC curve of ESR in detection of osteomyelitis in diabetic foot cases was 0.70 (95% CI: 0.62-0.79). The best ESR cut-off point in this regard was 49 mm/hour. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and positive and negative likelihood ratios of ESR in 49 mm/Hour cut-point were 74.6% (95% CI: 62.9-83.9), 57.7% (95% CI: 45.5-69.2), 63.9% (95% CI: 52.5-73.9), 69.5 % (95% CI: 56.0-80.0), 1.8 (95% CI: 1.3-2.4) and 0.4 (95% CI: 0.3-0.7), respectively. The area under the ROC curve of CRP in detection of osteomyelitis was 0.67 (95% CI: 0.58-0.76). The best cut-off point for CRP in this regard was 35 mg/liter with sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and positive and negative likelihood ratios of 76% (95% CI: 64.2-85), 54.9% (95% CI: 42.7-66.6), 62.8% (95% CI: 51.6-72.8), 69.6% (95% CI: 51.7-80.8), 1.7 (95% CI, 1.3-2.2), and 0.4 (95% CI: 0.3-0.7), respectively. Based on the findings of ROC curve analysis, ESR and CRP had fair and poor accuracy, respectively, in detecting the diabetic foot cases with osteomyelitis.

Correlation between genetic polymorphism of angiopoietin-2 gene and clinical aspects of rheumatoid arthritis.

The Angiopoietin-2 (Ang2) gene encodes angiogenic factor, and the polymorphisms of Ang2 gene predict risk of various human diseases. We want to investigate whether the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the Ang2 gene can predict the risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Between 2016 and 2018, we recruited 335 RA patients and 700 control participants. Comparative genotyping for SNPs rs2442598, rs734701, rs1823375 and rs12674822 was performed. We found that when compared with the subjects with the A/A genotype of SNP rs2442598, the subjects with the T/T genotype were 1.78 times likely to develop RA. The subjects with C/C genotype of SNP rs734701 were 0.53 times likely to develop RA than the subjects with TT genotype, suggesting the protective effect. The subjects with G/G genotype of SNP rs1823375 were 1.77 times likely to develop RA than the subjects with C/C genotype. The subjects with A/C and C/C genotype of SNP rs11137037 were 1.65 and 2.04 times likely to develop RA than the subjects with A/A genotype. The subjects with G/T and T/T genotype of SNP rs12674822 were 2.42 and 2.25 times likely to develop RA than the subjects with G/G genotype. The T allele over rs734701 can lead to higher serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate level (p = 0.006). The A allele over rs11137037 was associated with longer duration between disease onset and blood sampling (p = 0.003). Our study suggested that Ang2 might be a diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for RA therapy. Therapeutic agents that directly or indirectly modulate the activity of Ang2 may be the promising modalities for RA treatment.

The impact of obesity on febrile urinary tract infection and renal scarring in children with vesicoureteral reflux

It has become clear that obesity is associated with a variety of infectious diseases, including urinary tract infection (UTI) and renal scarring. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between obesity and the degree of febrile UTI (fUTI) and renal scarring in children with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), and to stratify the results into obesity subcategories. A total of 186 patients were diagnosed with VUR between January 2002 and December 2008. This study retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 72 children with primary VUR who had recurrent fUTI (more than twice). Overweight or obese status of the patients aged <2 years was defined using weight-for-length (WFL) measurements. For 2-5 year old children, body mass index (BMI) percentile-for-age was used. They were divided into three groups as follows; standard (<85%), overweight (85-95%), and obese (≥95%). The following clinical variables were compared: age at diagnosis of primary VUR (months), sex, VUR grade, hydronephrosis grade, presence of renal scarring, surgical treatment, and degree of inflammation during fUTI. In the overweight and obese groups, VUR was diagnosed at a young age (P=0.05), the degree of renal scarring was more severe (P=0.006), and serum white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) levels were significantly higher (P<0.001, P<0.001, and P<0.001, respectively). Abnormal focal dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) defects were present in 25 of the 72 children (35%). Cortical defects occurred more frequently in children with obesity, and they were associated with a higher grade of reflux and serum ESR levels (P=0.007, P=0.042, and P=0.021, respectively). Among these risk factors, high-grade VUR (OR=9.93, 95% CI=1.13-86.71), and being overweight and obese (OR=5.26, 95% CI=1.75-15.82) were associated with increased renal scarring. However, ESR was not associated with renal scarring (OR=1.01, 95% CI=0.95-1.07). The relationships between obesity and UTI are controversial. Some studies have shown positive results; however, other studies have shown opposite results. The main limitations of this study were the retrospective data collection via electronic medical records, and the small number of subjects. This study showed that obesity in patients with VUR has an effect on fUTI and renal scar formation. If the patients with VUR have obesity, close follow-up should be performed, and VUR patients should be started on a weight-loss program, which could reduce the number of patients with chronic kidney disease in the future.

Vitamin D Is a Good Marker for Disease Activity of Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease.

Aim. This study was conducted to find out the optimal vitamin D cutoff point in predicting activity of RA disease. Materials and Methods. One hundred and two rheumatoid arthritis Saudi patients of both genders were recruited in this study. Vitamin D as 25-hydroxy-vitamin D [25(OH)D] was measured and serum level less than 20 ng/mL defined as deficient patient. Disease activity was measured based on the disease activity score index of a 28-joint count (DAS28) using serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate levels. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine the optimal vitamin D cutoff points for identifying disease activity. Results. It has been observed that vitamin D levels were lower (P < 0.05) in patients with high disease activity. A significant inverse correlation between serum 25(OH)D levels and DAS28 (r = −0.277, P = 0.014) was shown. ROC curves results showed that vitamin D less than 12.3 ng/mL predicted high disease activity, and vitamin D more than 17.9 ng/mL predicted low disease activity, with good sensitivity and accuracy results regarding vitamin D. Conclusion. Study results concluded that vitamin D is a good predictor of RA disease activity in Saudi patients.

Annual Change in Pulmonary Function and Clinical Characteristics of Combined Pulmonary Fibrosis and Emphysema and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Over a 3-Year Follow-up.

BackgroundCombined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) have different pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and outcomes than idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The intention of this study was to identify unknown differences between CPFE and IPF by a retrospective comparison of clinical data including baseline and annual changes in pulmonary function, comorbidities, laboratory findings, clinical characteristics and cause of hospitalization.MethodsThis study retrospectively enrolled patients with CPFE and IPF who had undergone PFTs once or several times per year during a follow-up period of three years. Baseline clinical characteristics and the annual changes in the pulmonary function during the follow-up period were compared between 26 with CPFE and 42 patients with IPF.ResultsThe baseline ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC%) in patients with CPFE was lower than that in patients with IPF (78.6±1.7 vs. 82.9±1.1, p=0.041). The annual decrease in FEV1/FVC in the CPFE was significantly higher than in the IPF. The annual decreases in diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide and FVC showed no significant differences between the two groups. The symptom durations of cough and sputum were in the CPFE significantly lower than in the IPF. The serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate level at the acute stage was significantly higher than in the IPF. There were no significant differences in the hospitalization rate and pneumonia was the most common cause of hospitalization in both study groups.ConclusionThe annual decrease of FEV1/FVC was in patients with CPFE significantly higher than in the patients with IPF.

Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase, paraoxonase and arylesterase activities and malondialdehyde levels in patients with familial mediterranean fever

In this study, alterations in antioxidant enzyme activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the serum samples of patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), an autosomal recessive disease characterized by recurrent episodes of peritonitis, pleuritis, arthritis and fever, were investigated and compared with those of age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Twenty-five patients with FMF undergoing colchicine therapy at doses of 1-1.5 mg and 25 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included in the study. In the patients with FMF and control subjects, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) level were measured. Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD), paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) and arylesterase (ARE) enzyme activities and MDA levels as a production of lipid peroxidation were evaluated using the appropriate methods. No statistically significant differences in the serum levels of ESR, CRP, Cu/Zn-SOD, MDA and PON-1 between the groups were observed (p>0.05). Serum ARE activity was significantly decreased in the patients with FMF compared with the control subjects (p<0.01). In conclusion, some abnormalities in the antioxidant defense system and lipid peroxidation may be observed in FMF patients during attack-free periods. However, further long-term studies on the subject are needed to explore altered lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense mechanisms in patients with FMF (Tab. 1, Fig. 1, Ref. 35).

Results of chemotherapy in 30 AIDS patients with symptomatic pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma.

The aim of this study was to report the effects of a three-drug chemotherapy regimen in patients with symptomatic AIDS-related pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma and to analyse prognostic factors for survival. Thirty consecutive HIV seropositive patients with respiratory symptoms and proven pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma were treated with the same therapeutic regimen comprising adriamycin (30 mg/m2), bleomycin (10 mg/m2), and vincristine (2 mg) administered intravenously once every four weeks. Two patients died during the first course of chemotherapy. In the other 28 cases dyspnoea improved and Pao2 rose despite minimal (n = 17) or no (n = 11) improvement in the chest radiographic appearance. The median survival from the beginning of chemotherapy was 6.5 months. Poor prognostic factors for survival were: (1) absence of cutaneous Kaposi's sarcoma; (2) previous opportunistic infection; (3) CD4 cell count < 100/microliters; (4) leucocytes < 3500/microliters; (5) haemoglobin < 10 g/dl; and (6) absence of radiological response. Of the 28 patients 24 experienced at least one episode of neutropenia which was associated with bacterial infection in 16 cases. Chemotherapy may improve respiratory impairment in patients with extensive pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma but the outcome remains poor. The efficacy of chemotherapy may be limited by neutropenia.