study of some hormones and minerals in cases of rheumatoid arthritis

ABSTRACT

The present study was carried out on 50 subjects classified as follows 20 patients with adult rheumatoid arthritis, 10 patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and 10 healthy subjects with matched age and sex as a control group for each of the previous two groups. The results of the present work revealed that both serum GH and cortisol levels showed insignificant difference in cases of RA and JRA as compared to their control groups; so, they have no role as a cause of growth retardation in children with JRA. Significant changes were detected regarding thyroid hormones in cases of RA. Low serum T[3] levels associated with high T[4], levels were observed in these patients as compared to their adult control group. It was suggested that low serum T[3]-levels may result from decreased neogenesis secondary to inhibition of iodothyronine 5 mono deiodinase by the excess liberation of free radicals. High serum T[4], levels might be due to increased glandular secretion or to increased thyroxine-binding globulin concentration that may result as a consequence of low androgen concentration in RA patients. No significant changes in serum T[3] and T[4], levels were detected in JRA patients. So, hypothyroidism can not be claimed as a cause of growth retardation in these patients. As regards nutritional parameters; insignificant changes in total proteins were detected in both RA and JRA groups in this study. However, protein deficiency can not be excluded as a cause of nutritional growth retardation since hypoalbumine-mia'was previously reported in rheumatoid disease. Significant low serum zinc concentration was found both in RA and JRA groups as compared to their control group. This deficiency may play a role in the etiology of growth retardation in cases of JRA. Significant high copper and ceruloplasmin concentrations in both RA and JRA groups as compared to their control group, role out the possibility of their engagement in the etiology of short stature in JRA We can conclude that the growth failure seen in children with JRA might be of nutritional origin and that nutritional deficiency can lead to the decreased somatomedin concentrations previously reported in JRA patients. However, it is recommended to assess in the future the exact thyroid function state by radioiodine uptake test. Also, to estimate TBG concentration in patients with rheumatoid disease Newly discovered cases were achieved to exclude the effect of any medication on T[3]- or T[4], levels