Relationship between serum-soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Abstract

Objective: Considering the important role of serum soluble receptor for advanced glycation end product (sRAGE/RAGE)–ligand system in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), this study aimed to evaluate serum sRAGE levels in RA patients compared to healthy subjects and to assess whether there is an association between sRAGE levels and disease characteristics in RA. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 60 RA patients according to the ACR/EULAR 2010 criteria and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included. In patients, clinical examination was performed and disease activity score 28 (DAS-28) measure of disease activity was assessed. Serum sRAGE level was measured using ELISA kit. Results: The mean ± SD age of patients and controls was 54.86 ± 11.65 and 50.71 ± 3.72 years, respectively). Serum sRAGE level was significantly higher in RA patients (median [25th and 75th percentiles], 1000.3 [792.00, 1486.8]) compared to healthy controls (median [25th and 75th percentiles], 293.25 [220.35, 364.24]) (p < .001). There was significant difference in serum sRAGE level according to the activity of disease (p < .001). There were significant positive correlations between serum sRAGE level with disease activity (r = 0.67, p < .001), ESR (r = 0.411, p = .001) and CRP (r = 0.273, p = .035). There were no significant correlations between serum sRAGE level with demographic characteristics as well as biochemical measurements including serum creatinine, BUN, RF, and Anti-CCP (p > .05). Conclusions: Our study revealed higher serum sRAGE levels in RA patients compared to healthy controls, which correlated positively with disease activity.