Serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein levels in patients with inflammatory arthritis / 中华风湿病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the association between serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMe) levels and joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and inflammatory arthritis patients. Methods Serum level of COMP was measured with ELISA in 154 arthritis patients.The results of serum COMe were compared with clinical parameters and the modified SHARe scores after 2 years in RA patients. Results Serum COMP level of RA patients was higher than that of normal controls and patients with other forms of arthritis in which only synovial membrane was involved (P＜0.05).We found a significant difference between sCOMP in osteoarthritis (OA) and psoriatic arthritis (PSA) patients with normal controls ,but not with other forms of arthritis.There was no difference of sCOMP between RA,OA or PSA patients.We found a positive correlation between baseline sCOMP and deterioration of modified SHARP scores after 2 years (P＜ 0.001,r=0.848),but did not find correlation between the baseline sCOMP and the titer of anti-CCP,RF, grade of joint function and modified SHARP scores at baseline.We also found a significant correlation between sCOMP and ESR or CRP levels,duration of morning stiffness,joint swelling scores and tenderness scores re spoctively (P＜0.05).Conclusion Serum COMP level is elevated in arthritis patients whose joint cartilage is also involved,particularly in patients with RA.The results of this study indicate that serum COMe may be used as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for cartilage destruction in established RA patients.