Montosh Chakraborty1, Happy Chutia2, Rita Changkakati3. 1. Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Andaman Nicober Islands Institute of Medical Sciences , Portblair, Andaman Nicober, India . 2. Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Insitiute of Health & Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) , Shillong, Meghalaya, India . 3. Ex. Professor and Head, Department of Biochemistry, Assam Medical College & Hospital (AMCH) , Dibrugarh, Assam, India .
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Copper is an important trace element for normal growth and development of the body. It is also essential for maturation of collagen tissues. The purpose of the study was to estimate the serum copper levels in rheumatoid arthritis patients and to see its association with the various parameters of disease activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out among 50 diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis patients (25 each of active disease & remission patients) and 50 age and sex matched controls. Fasting blood sample was collected for estimation of serum copper, haemoglobin level and ESR in the subjects. RESULTS: Mean serum copper level in the case group was found to be significantly higher than that of the control group (p-value<0.001). This increase of copper level was more in active disease than those with remission (p-value < 0.0001). A significant positive correlation was found between serum copper level and ESR, serum copper level and morning stiffness and a negative correlation was found between serum copper level and haemoglobin level in rheumatoid arthritis patients. CONCLUSION: In rheumatoid arthritis patients, serum copper level may be used as an additional biochemical marker for estimation of disease activity.
INTRODUCTION:Copper is an important trace element for normal growth and development of the body. It is also essential for maturation of collagen tissues. The purpose of the study was to estimate the serum copper levels in rheumatoid arthritispatients and to see its association with the various parameters of disease activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out among 50 diagnosed rheumatoid arthritispatients (25 each of active disease & remission patients) and 50 age and sex matched controls. Fasting blood sample was collected for estimation of serum copper, haemoglobin level and ESR in the subjects. RESULTS: Mean serum copper level in the case group was found to be significantly higher than that of the control group (p-value<0.001). This increase of copper level was more in active disease than those with remission (p-value < 0.0001). A significant positive correlation was found between serum copper level and ESR, serum copper level and morning stiffness and a negative correlation was found between serum copper level and haemoglobin level in rheumatoid arthritispatients. CONCLUSION: In rheumatoid arthritispatients, serum copper level may be used as an additional biochemical marker for estimation of disease activity.