ABSTRACT
Objectives: The present study was conducted to evaluate the levels of serum soluble transferrin receptors [sTfR] and reticulocyte hemoglobin content [CHr] in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis [JIA] attending the pediatric rheumatology outpatient clinic of Alexandria University Children's Hospital [AUCH]
Study design: Forty three JIA patients whose age ranged from 3 to 16 years were enrolled in the study as well as 20 healthy children of matched age and sex as a control group. Complete blood count with CHr, iron profile, acute phase response parameters and sTfR levels were done in all patients and controls
Results: From the total 43 patients with JIA, 22 patients [51.2%] were anemic and 21 [48.8%] were non anemic. Hemoglobin level had negative correlation with illness duration in the anemic group [p=0.007]. No significant difference was found between these 2 groups as regards to any of the medications taken, The anemic group had significantly higher levels of CBC parameters of inflammation, acute phase response parameters and disease activity score than the non-anemic group [p=<0.001]. In the non-anemic group, these parameters showed no significant difference from the controls. Anemic group had significantly higher ferritin level and sTfR. than the non anemic and the controls [p.0.001]. CHr was significantly lower in anemic group than the other 2 groups [p=0.001]
Conclusion: Anemia in JIA is associated with high levels of ferritin and sTfR. with lower CHr. Serum ferritin, being an acute phase reactant, is not reliable in diagnosing anemia in case of chronic disease necessitating the use of other markers as: sTfR. and CHr