Serum leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) levels in patients with Takayasu's and Giant cell arteritis: A cross-sectional study

Introduction and objectives

In this study, we aimed to evaluate LIF levels and its possible relationship with disease activity in patients with Takayasu's (TAK) and Giant cell arteritis (GCA) patients.

Materials and methods

23 Takayasu's arteritis, 9 Giant cell arteritis patients and 25 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Serum LIF levels were measured ELISA.

Results

The mean age of Giant cell arteritis patients was statistically significantly higher than the other groups (p < 0.001). The rate of women was found to be higher in Takayasu's arteritis (p = 0.021). When healthy control, patients with GCA and Takayasu arteritis were compared, there was a difference in LIF values (p = 0.018). In subgroup analyzes, LIF values were found to be higher in GCA patients compared to healthy controls (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant correlation between LIF and CRP (Rho = −0.038, p = 0.778), ESR (Rho = 0.114, p = 0.399) and ITAS (Rho = −0.357, p = 0.094). While CRP was statistically significantly higher in patients with disease activity (p = 0.003), there was no statistically significant difference between patients in terms of ESR and LIF values. While there was a statistically significant relationship between CRP (OR = 1.19 [1.03–1.37], p = 0.018) and disease activity in univariate analyses, no statistically significant variable was found in multivariable analyses.

Conclusions

LIF values were significantly higher in patients with Giant cell arteritis compared to healthy controls.