AbstractBackground: Morbidity and mortality rates are higher in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis than in the general population. Cardiovascular diseases now represent one of the most common causes of death in Rheumatoid arthritis. It appears to represent an independent risk factor for ischemic heart disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by inflammation of synovial membrane and oxidative stress has been implicated as mediators of tissue damage. Adenosine deaminase plays an important role in inflammation and uric acid, an endogenous antioxidant has free radical scavenging capacity. The aim of this study is to estimate the serum levels of ADA, MDA, uric acid and CRP levels to know the oxidative stress status in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Methods: This is a prospective case control study consists a total of 100 subjects of which 50 were RA patients and 50 were healthy controls. Serum ADA, MDA, uric acid levels and ESR were analyzed in both controls and cases. Statistical analysis was performed using independent‘t’ test. Results: Serum uric acid, ADA, MDA, CRP, ESR (p<0.0001) levels were found to be significantly high in rheumatoid arthritis patients when compared to controls. There is a strong positive correlation of biochemical parameters with disease activity score 28 (DAS28) in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Conclusion: In the present study increased serum uric acid, ADA, MDA, CRP levels and ESR clearly suggest their role in causing inflammation and increased oxidative stress in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Keywords: Rheumatoid Arthritits; C - Reactive Protein; Uric Acid; Adenosine Deaminase; Oxidative Stress; Malondialdehyde; Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR).