Soluble interleukin-2 receptor in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

Serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor [sIL-2R] concentrations were determined in 20 children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis [JRA] and 10 healthy children of matched age and sex utilizing ELISA method. The results showed that serum sIL-2R concentrations in JRA patients were significantly higher than in healthy controls. There was a highly significant difference between the active and the inactive group. Concentration of sIL-2R correlated positively with morning stiffness [MS], articular index of Ritchi [AIR], joint count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR] and C-reactive protein [CRP] and correlated negatively with grip strength and hemoglobin concentration [Hb. conc.]