Association of Circulating Biomarkers with Disease Severity in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common autoimmune diseases and can be associated with serious limitations in patients' activities and lifestyles. This study aimed to investigate the associations between circulating biomarkers (including RF, CRP, anti-CCP, Hb, ESR, AST, and ALT) and disease severity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

This cross-sectional study was conducted using the census method on 148 patients referred to a specialized rheumatology clinic in Jiroft, Iran, in 2022. Data were collected through interviews, physical examinations, and reviews of patients’ medical records. The data were entered into the DAS-28 (Disease Activity Score-28) software for analysis of disease activity. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26.

The mean age of the patients was 51.84 years, most of whom were women. Rheumatoid factor (RF) was positive in 91 patients (61.5%) and negative in 57 patients (38.5%). C-reactive protein (CRP) was positive in 67 patients (45.3%) and negative in 81 patients (54.7%). Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) was positive in 81 patients (54.7%) and negative in 67 patients (45.3%). The Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS-28) results indicated that 79 patients (53.5%) were in remission, 15 patients (10.1%) had low disease activity, and 54 patients (36.5%) had moderate to high disease activity.

There was a significant association between disease severity and patients’ gender, CRP results, anti-CCP status, mean hemoglobin (Hb) levels, and mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).

The findings support the use of a multidisciplinary approach to disease management, incorporating both laboratory tests and clinical assessments.