ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) is one of the forms of RAGE. It is a trap receptor that has a role in inhibiting pro-inflammatory processes that will occur with the combination of RAGE and its ligands. Our study aims to examine the level of sRAGE in rheumatological inflammatory diseases and its relationship with these diseases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 60 patients with Behçet's disease (BD), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and 22 healthy control individuals were included in the study. Comorbidity status, sRAGE levels, disease activity scores, demographic and laboratory data of the patients were recorded. Serum sRAGE levels in these diseases and healthy controls were determined by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kit spectrophotometrically. RESULTS: Serum sRAGE levels in the patient groups were significantly higher when compared to the healthy control group (p < 0.001 for all). On the other hand, when the patient groups were compared with each other in terms of sRAGE levels, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05 for all). The serum sRAGE levels were not correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and disease activity scores (p > 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Serum sRAGE levels increased in BD and in other inflammatory rheumatological diseases. However, this increase does not directly correlate with inflammatory markers and disease activity scores. These results suggest that serum sRAGE level may not be used as a biomarker for disease activity in BD and in other rheumatological diseases.
Subject(s)
Arthritis, Rheumatoid , Glycation End Products, Advanced , Biomarkers , Blood Sedimentation , Humans , Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products , Receptors, Immunologic/metabolismABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The relationship between sexual functions and infertility remains controversial and there is a limited number of studies reporting the effects of infertility on sexual functions in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Aims: The present study aims to investigate the effects of infertility on sexual functions and depression levels in women with PCOS. METHODS: A total of 150 participants who were either fertile patients with PCOS, infertile patients with PCOS, or fertile women without PCOS (control) (n = 50) were included for the study. Sociodemographic data were recorded and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used for evaluation of subjects. RESULTS: Body mass index (BMI) was found to be significantly higher in the PCOS plus infertility group (27.9 ± 2.9, P = 0.01) than the other groups. Total BDI score was higher and total FSFI score was significantly lower in the PCOS plus infertility group than in the other groups. The PCOS plus infertility group showed significantly lower FSFI scores than the PCOS group in terms of desire, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. A significant negative correlation was observed between BMI and BDI scores in the PCOS plus infertility group (r:-0.384, P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Our study results show lower sexual functions in PCOS women with infertility and that infertility negatively affects sexual functions with obesity associated depression.
