ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to measure the serum level of cross-linked carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type-I collagen [ICTP] as a bone resorption marker in adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Moreover, the correlation between ICTP levels and the disease activity was assessed. Blood samples were collected from patients with active RA, inactive RA and healthy subjects matched for age and sex. The results showed that serum ICTP in ug/L was statistically significantly higher in case of active RA and inactive RA when compared with the healthy control subjects. Furthermore, serum ICTP was significantly higher in cases with active RA versus inactive RA. In conclusion, serum ICTP might serve as an indicator of rheumatoid disease activity. However, serum ICTP was not influenced by steroid administration in these patients