Adrenocortical function relation to inflammatory markers in early untreated rheumatoid arthritis

ABSTRACT

To study adrenocortical function alterations in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis [RA]. 25 untreated patients with new onset RA were studied and compared with 25 age and sex-matched healthy subjects [controls]. All subjects were studied for plasma ACTH, cortisol, dehyroepiandrosterone sulfate [DHEAS], free and total testosterone, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein and rheumatoid factor. No significant differences in the basal levels of ACTH, Cortisol, DHEAS, and total testosterone when comparing RA patients with controls were found, while there were statistically significant elevations in the inflammatory indices [ESR and CRP] and lower basal morning levels of free testosterone [Lower in males age >/= 45 years] in RA patients when compared with controls. From this study we concluded that adrenocortical function seem to be unaltered in early untreated RA patients