Comparison of Serum Levels of SIL-2R, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, CRP, ESR and Fibrinogen in Patients with Active and Inactive Behçet’s Disease

Abstract

Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic inflammatory illness that affects the entire body and is characterized by recurring episodes of oral aphthae, ocular and cutaneous lesions, and scrotal or vaginal ulcerations. The involvement of other organs and systems increases mortality in addition to the significant morbidity. This study involved a total of 40 participants, 20 of whom were healthy controls and 20 of whom were patients (of the 20 Behçet's patients, 12 (60%) were in the active phase and 8 (40%) were in the inactive phase). There was no therapy being given to any of the 20 patients that would have affected their cytokine levels. Only young men made up the patient and control groups because both early onset and male sex are signs of poor prognosis. The ELISA method was used to measure the levels of serum cytokines. The statistical analysis of the derived numerical values employed the Mann-Whitney U Test. We found a significant correlation between serum cytokine levels and classical acute phase markers in active Behçet’s patients. ESR (P < 0,001), CRP (P < 0,001), fibrinogen (P < 0,001), IL-10 (P < 0,001), IL-6 (P < 0,001), SIL-2R (P < 0,001) and TNFα (P < 0,001). There was no statistically significant difference in serum levels of classical acute phase markers ESR (P = 0,746), CRP (P = 0,476) and fibrinogen (P = 0,940) when inactive Behçet’s patients and healthy controls were compared. However, serum levels of IL-10 (P < 0,001), IL-6 (P = 0,001), SIL-2R (P < 0,001) and TNFα (P = 0,001) were statistically different between inactive Behcet's patients and the control group. Our research shows that even in the inactive phase, serum cytokine levels of Behçet’s patients are much higher than the healthy control group. However, the levels of ESR, CRP and fibrinogen, which are classical acute phase markers, were found at normal levels in Behçet’s patients in the inactive phase. These findings show that measurement of serum interleukin levels will enable us to take preventive measures for morbidity and mortality follow-up of Behçet's patients.