Assessment of Autoimmune and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Rheumatoid Arthritis Subjects in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Gold Nkolika Mbeera *
Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion Science, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Evelyn Mgbeoma Eze
Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion Science, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Serekara Gideon Christian
Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion Science, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Barinaaziga Sunday Mbeera
Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, Colchester, UK.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disorder characterised by persistent synovial inflammation and progressive joint damage.
Aim: This study assessed selected autoimmune and inflammatory biomarkers among individuals with RA in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Methods: A cross-sectional study included 78 participants aged 35–75 years, comprising 31 participants with RA and 47 apparently healthy controls. Serum anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) and anti-β2-glycoprotein I (anti-β2GPI) IgG antibodies were measured by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, while erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was determined using the Westergren method. Data were analysed using GraphPad Prism version 10.6.1, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05.
Results: Participants with RA had higher anti-CCP concentrations than controls (0.56 ± 0.47 versus 0.35 ± 0.21 U/mL; p = 0.0222) and higher ESR values (11.7 ± 5.6 versus 6.6 ± 3.5 mm/hr; p < 0.0001). Anti-β2GPI concentrations did not differ significantly between groups (p = 0.4602). In sex-stratified comparisons, ESR was significantly elevated among both male and female participants with RA. Anti-CCP was significantly elevated among female participants but not among males, whereas anti-β2GPI showed no significant difference in either subgroup.
Conclusion: Anti-CCP and ESR demonstrated potential utility in the assessment of RA in this population, while the clinical relevance of anti-β2GPI remains uncertain. Larger studies incorporating disease-activity and treatment data are required.
Keywords: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide (Anti-CCP), Anti-Β2-Glycoprotein I, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), Autoimmune Biomarkers