Association of serum testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate with rheumatoid arthritis: a case control study.

BACKGROUND: It is supposed that hypoandrogenism may be involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAs) levels decrease in body fluids of patients with RA. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the association of serum testosterone and DHEAs with RA. METHODS: This case-control study was conducted on 59 patients with RA and 61 healthy gender- and age-matched controls at Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran, in 2014. Serum free testosterone and DHEAs levels were measured and compared between two groups. Serum testosterone levels lower than 0.029 ng/ml in females and 2.49 ng/ml in males were considered as abnormal. DHEAs levels lower than 18.9 µg/dl in females and 88.9 µg/dl in males were considered as abnormal. Data were analyzed using independent sample T-test, Chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis by SPSS software, version 19. RESULTS: The mean testosterone level in females of the control group was significantly higher than females in the case group. The mean DHEAs in the control group was significantly higher than the case group. Abnormal testosterone and DHEAs level in the case group was significantly higher than the control group. Logistic regression analysis showed independent association only between DHEAs levels and RA, after adjusting for age and gender (OR: 0.966, 95% CI: 0.953-0.979; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: With regard to the results, abnormal testosterone and DHEAs level in patients with RA was significantly higher than the control group. This shows the anti-inflammatory effects of gonadal and adrenal androgens in RA.

Assessment of vitamin K2 levels in osteoporotic patients: a case control study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to measure the level of Vitamin K2 (Vit K2) in osteoporotic patients and individuals with normal bone density as controls. MATERIALS & METHODS: This case-control study was done in Outpatient Department of Rheumatology at Qazvin Boo-ali Sina Hospital in 2013. Participants were 50 patients with osteoporotic densitometry measured by DEXA (T score? -2.5) who were matched with 48 persons in control group with normal bone density (T score> -1). The level of Vit K2 in samples was measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test. RESULTS: The level of Vit K2 in patients with osteoporosis was not significantly different from the control group (Median: 75.95 vs. 71.35 nmol/L, respectively; P-value: 0.709). The authors determined cut-offs 75 percentile of vitamin K2 in all participants that was 85 nmol/L and percentages of persons in two groups were similar. CONCLUSION: Although Vit K2 level in patients with osteoporosis was not significantly different from the control group, further studies are necessary to confirm the association of osteoporosis and Vit K2.

Determination of specificity and sensitivity of anti-RA 33 in diagnosis of early rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease with uncertain etiology characterized by symmetric polyarthritis in peripheral joints. Its diagnosis is based on clinical findings and serologic tests. They are rarely conclusive in early course of the disease. So, its early diagnosis could be difficult. The present study was designed to evaluate the role of Anti -RA33; an Auto-Antibody against RA33 in early diagnosis of the disease. MATERIALS & METHODS: forty three patients who had been visited in a Rheumatology Clinic were randomly selected. Their disease has been diagnosed by a Rheumatologist. 55 persons were chosen from healthy individuals who had attended in other clinic. Their age and sex were matched with the case group. Anti-RA33 and RF titers were measured in their blood sample using standard methods. FINDINGS: RF and Anti-RA33 titers had significant correlation in case group (p=0.015). Anti -RA33 test had 98% sensitivity, 20% specificity, 55% positive predictive value, and 90% negative predictive. CONCLUSION: Anti -RA33 could have diagnostic and prognostic value in diagnosis and evaluation of patients with RA, and its differentiation from other small joint disorders, particularly when the other serologic tests are negative.