The role of serum fucose, protein bound fucose and other biomarkers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder that principally attacks synovial joints. Aims:  To evaluate the status of serum fucose and protein bound fucose, anti-CCP, TNF-α and RF in serum of RA patients. Subjects and methods: The study has included 30 patients with early RA (with disease duration 1 year) diagnosed according to the 2010 EULAR criteria (25 females, 5 males) with age range (30-60) and 28 healthy control individuals (22 females,6 males) with age range (30-55), who were age and sex matching with patients. Results: Levels of total serum fucose and protein bound fucose significantly decrease in RA patients than healthy control, while anti-CCP, TNF-α, RF, CRP and ESR significantly increase in RA patients than healthy control. Levels of total serum fucose, protein bound fucose & ACCP were not significant between three stages of activity in late & early RA patients.  The level TNF-α & RF were significant only in very active cases in late RA, while not significantly in all cases of early RA.  Positive correlation was found between ACCP & ESR in RA patients & early RA patients. Positive correlation found between TSF & PBF, negative correlation found between TNF-α & ESR in late RA patients. Positive correlation found between ACCP & ESR, CRP & ESR in early RA patients. Conclusions: This study illustrate that total serum fucose and protein bound fucose aid to diagnosis RA patient. Also Anti-CCP is a good & specific marker for diagnosis of RA,it is a good prognostic and as index test of severity