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Serum procalcitonin levels in patients with ankylosing spondylitis
Author(s) -
Ozmen Mustafa,
Oktay Esin,
Tarhan Emine F.,
Aslan Ozgur,
Oflazoglu Utku,
Koseoglu Mehmet H.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
international journal of rheumatic diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1756-185X
pISSN - 1756-1841
DOI - 10.1111/1756-185x.12386
Subject(s) - procalcitonin , basdai , medicine , basfi , ankylosing spondylitis , erythrocyte sedimentation rate , gastroenterology , spondylitis , sepsis , c reactive protein , disease , inflammation , psoriatic arthritis
Aim Procalcitonin is a marker of bacterial and fungal infection and sepsis. The present study evaluated the relationship between serum procalcitonin levels and disease activity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis ( AS ). Method A total of 61 patients who met the 1984 N ew Y ork criteria for AS were studied. Twenty‐four age‐ and sex‐matched healthy volunteers were recruited to this study as a control group. Disease activity was assessed by the B ath AS D isease A ctivity I ndex ( BASDAI ). The functional status of patients was evaluated by the B ath AS F unctional I ndex ( BASFI ). Spinal mobility was measured by the B ath AS M etrology I ndex ( BASMI ). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( ESR ), C‐reactive protein ( CRP ) and serum procalcitonin levels were measured. Results Thirty patients were on anti‐tumor necrosis factor‐alpha treatment and 31 patients were on conventional treatment. Seventeen (28%) of the AS patients were active ( BASDAI > 4) and 44 (72%) of the AS patients were in remission. The median ESR was 14 (34–6) mm/h and 4 (7–2) mm/h ( P < 0.001) for the patient and control groups, respectively. The median CRP level was 0.91 (2.72–0.37) mg/dL and 0.15 (0.25–0.07) mg/dL in the patient and control groups, respectively ( P < 0.001). Median BASDAI , BASFI and BASMI scores for all AS patients were 3.6 (5.25–2.29), 2.5 (4.22–0.91) and 3 (5–1), respectively. Serum procalcitonin levels were normal (< 0.05 ng/mL) for all patients and controls. Conclusion Serum procalcitonin levels were not high in AS patients and controls, and the levels were independent of disease activity and medications. If bacterial or fungal infection is suspected in an AS patient, serum procalcitonin level may be useful for diagnosis.