The relationship between interleukin-17 and osteoporosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Objective: In this study; it is aimed to compare interleukin-17 (IL-17) levels in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoporosis (OP) patients compared to healthy controls, and to determine the relationship between IL-17 and disease activity, functional status and presence of OP in RA. Materials and Methods: Eighty five patients were classified in four groups. Group 1: RA + OP (n=21), group 2: RA (n=22), group 3: 20 healthy volunteers, and group 4: OP (n=22). Demographical data, bone densitometry values, serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D and IL-17 levels were recorded. The disease duration, medications, pain levels of the patients and the disease activities were noted, and the disease activities of patients were evaluated by the health assessment questionnaire. Results: No difference was detected between IL-17 levels of patients with and without RA (p>0.05). Likewise, we could not establish a relationship between disease activity and IL-17 levels. However, IL-17 levels of RA patients with OP were significantly higher when compared with patients without OP. Rheumatoid factor and IL-17 levels were higher for RA patients with OP. While a significant, negative correlation was established between IL-17 and lumbar T-score with femoral bone mineral density, no correlation was detected between other variables in RA patients. Conclusion: IL-17 levels are elevated in RA and OP. While there is no relationship between IL-17 and disease activity and functional status in RA; IL-17 levels are high in RA patients with OP.