Résumé
To determine the level of Fractalkine [Fkn], in patients with rheumatoid vasculitis [RV] and to assess the relationship between s Fkn level and RA disease activity. Twenty patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis were included in this study. They were divided into two groups: 1] - RA group: included 10 patients suffering of RA with no clinical signs of vasculitis. 2] - RV group: included 10 patients suffering of RA with vasculitis. Another ten non rheumatoid subjects were chosen as control group. All were subjected to: full history clinical examination, serum Rheumatoid factor [RE], serum complement [C4] and human serum soluble fractalkine [sFkn]. Also vasculitis disease activity was assessed using Birmingham vasculitis activity score [BVAS] to RV group. Serum sFkn levels were significantly higher in patients with RA than in controls and were significantly higher in RV patients than in those without vasculitis complications. Statistically significant correlation was observed between serum sFkn levels in RA patients and levels of C-reactive protein, rheumatoid factor and complement. In the RV group serum sFkn levels also correlated with disease activity. These findings suggest that sFkn may serve as a serologic inflammatory marker of disease activity in RA patients with vasculitis