Interleukin 1 beta, hand and foot bone mineral content and the development of joint erosions in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Objective - To assess the relationship between plasma levels of the cytokine interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and the progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods - Two subgroups of patients, one with persistently raised ESR ( < 0.0001, paired t test) though progression was significantly less in the subgroup with low ESR (p < 0.05, ANOVA). Hand and foot bone mineral content decreased by almost 10% in the subgroup with raised ESR (p<0.005, paired t test). Stepwise linear regression analysis revealed significant independent relationships between radiographic progression over one year and plasma IL-1 beta and ESR (multiple R 0.674, F = 11.64, p < 0.0002). No such relationships were observed for changes in bone mineral content parameters. Conclusions - Plasma IL-1 beta levels correlate weakly with progression of joint damage though not with loss of peripheral bone density in RA. A significant reduction in peripheral bone mineral content occurs over one year in patients with active RA with persistently raised ESR.