predictive value of interleukin-6, ESR, C-R protein and somatosensory evoked potentials in acute ischemic stroke

The aim of this study was to correlate the plasma levels of interleukin-6 [IL-6], erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR] and C- reactive protein [CRP] and the somatosensory evoked potentials [SEPs] in acute ischemic stroke with stroke severity and functional outcome at 3 months. Plasma levels of IL-6, ESR and CRP and the SEPs were determined in 30 ischemic stroke patients during the first week of stroke onset and compared with 15 matched apparently healthy control subjects. The levels of inflammatory markers and the SEPs were correlated with the infarct volume, stroke severity using Canadian Stroke Scale [CSS], and functional outcome at 3 months using modified Rankin Score [mRS], Plasma levels of IL-6, ESR and CRP were significantly higher in stroke patients than healthy controls [p< 0.001], more higher in severe stroke, larger size infarctions and correlated significantly with the functional outcome at 3 months. Also, there was significant positive correlation of N20 and P25 latency and significant negative correlation of N20 amplitude with functional outcome at 3 months. The plasma levels of IL-6, ESR and CRP and the SEPs are good predictors to the functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke

Study of antikeratin antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis

The aim of this study was to assess the antikeratin antibody [AKA] of IgG class in the sera of patients with rheumatoid arthritis [RA] and its correlation to rheumatoid factor, disease activity, bone erosion and extra-articular manifestations. Also, the effect of different antirheumatic drugs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs] "diclofenac sodium", corticosteroids "prednisolone" and disease modifying antirheumatic drugs [DMARDs] "methotrexate" on IgG AKA titer in RA patients was assessed. This study was carried out on 45 patients with RA diagnosed according to the American College of Rheumatology [1988] criteria. The patients were divided into 3 groups [15 patients each] according to the line of treatment: Goup I: received diclofenac sodium 100 mg/day for 3 months. Group II: received prednisolone 10-20 mg/day for 3 months. Group III: received methotrexate 7.5-15 mg/week and folic acid 1mg/day for 3 months. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, CRP, RF and antikeratin antibody were determined in all patients at the start and at the end of the study. Also, plain x-ray of both hands were done for all patients at study entry. Antikeratin antibody was present in 68.9% of RA patients and it was correlated with parameters of disease activity, RF, CRP and subcutaneous nodules. There was significant reduction in AKA titer after treatment with MTX and prednisolone. The best reduction was in MTX group and it was correlated with improvement in parameters of disease activity. There was no correlation between AKA and degree of bone erosion. The sensitivity of AKA in RA patients is 68.9%. Antikeratin antibodies should be included in the initial investigations for the diagnosis of RA and it can be used as a prognostic marker for the disease and in evaluating the effect of treatment