Increased serum levels of MIC1/GDF15 correlated with bone erosion in spondyloarthritis: A pilot study

Abstract

Introduction: To assess the association between growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF15) and radiographic features including bone marrow edema and bone erosion in Spondyloarthritis (SpA). Methods: Patients with SpA (n = 120) receiving treatment in the Guangdong General Hospital, China, between August 2012 and December 2016 were retrospectively included. Serum of patients and healthy controls (n = 30) were collected and GDF15 levels were measured using ELISA. Inflammation was assessed by C-reactive protein (CRP), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the sacroiliac joint using Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada score and a method of dichotomy to assess fat metaplasia, bone erosion, and ankylosis. Radiographs of the pelvis were scored using the modified New York (mNY) score. Results: Serum GDF15 levels were higher in SpA patients compared to controls (503.52 ± 222.92 vs. 190.86 ± 104.18 pg/mL, P < .0001). Moreover, GDF15 levels were related to CRP levels (r = 0.5658, P