Comparison of Oxidative Stress, Lipid Peroxidation and Inflammatory Markers Between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients

Abstract

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthropathies are the most common types of inflammatory arthritis among rheumatic patients. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is regarded as the most common example of spondyloarthropathies. Both RA and AS are chronic autoimmune diseases that cause extensive inflammation in the joints. Oxidative stress (OS) is commonly defined as an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the body's enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is an enzyme antioxidant that is produced naturally in the body. Objective: To assess Superoxide dismutase and MDA levels, as well as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Study design: A comparative study. Place and Duration: This study was conducted in Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan from May 2021 to May 2022. Methodology: Non-probability purposive sampling was used to choose participants, who ranged in age from 25 to 70 years. The participants were placed into three groups: healthy controls (Group 1), rheumatoid arthritis patients (Group 2), and ankylosing spondylitis patients (Group 3). After receiving permission from the participants, 5 milliliters of blood were drawn in a clean manner, 2 milliliters of serum were tested for ESR and CRP, while 3 millimeters were separated into specific tubes to measure Superoxide dismutase and MDA levels. Results: There were a total of 210 participants of this study out of which 132 (62.8%) were males and 78(37.2%) were females. The participants were placed into three groups: healthy controls (Group 1), rheumatoid arthritis patients (Group 2), and ankylosing spondylitis patients (Group 3). The overall average age calculated was 38.9 years. There were lower levels of SOD in both rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis patients than in controls, although MDA levels were significantly higher in both groups. Conclusion: Oxidative stress and inflammation are significant in the development of rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.