Serum and synovial fluid leptin levels and markers of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the serum and synovial fluid leptin levels, and inflammatory markers in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Serum and synovial fluid leptin levels were significantly higher (P > 0.05) in RA patients than control group; RA patients with moderate disease activity (DAS 0.05) than those with low disease activity (DAS 0.05, P < 0.001, respectively). Serum leptin level is found to be independent of age and inflammatory markers. ESR is positively correlated with DAS activity and CRP values. Our finding of no correlation between leptin and BMI shows that regulation of leptinemia is complex, and leptin levels cannot be used to assess RA activity.