ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to find out whether spot urinary concentrations of type 1 collagen cross-linked N-telopeptides (NTx) and deoxypyridinoline (Pyrilinks-D) can differentiate between active and inactive disease in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to investigate the extent to which they correlate with indices of disease activity. METHODS: Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, the concentrations of NTx and Pyrilinks-D were estimated in spot urine samples from 25 females with active disease, 25 females with inactive disease, and in 25 controls. RESULTS: In Patients with active disease, urinary concentrations of NTx and Pyrilinks-D were significantly higher (p < 0.01) than in those with inactive disease or in healthy controls. In active disease there were significant positive correlation between urinary NTx and ESR, the swollen joint count, the tender joint count, and the patient's global assessment.
