Serum Level of Calprotectin in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and Its Correlation with Disease Activity Clinicaland Ultrasonographic

Background: Calprotectin is an essential proinflammatory component of the innate immune system. Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) was shown to be a relevant and accurate evaluation method for people with chronic inflammatory arthropathies. Therefore, it has been deemed promising for assessing the joints of children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). This research aims to determine the blood level of calprotectin in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and its connection with activity measures and ultrasonographically identified synovitis.

Methods: This study was carried out on 30 JIA patients, and 30 apparentlyhealthy children as controlsof matching age and sex. All patients were subjected to the following: history taking, complete clinical examination,disease activity assessment, full laboratory investigations, Ultrasound examination and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to assay the level of calprotectin in serum samples.

Results: Oligoarticular was the most common type of JIA.Methotrexate was the most common DMARD used either alone or with systemic corticosteroids.There was significant difference between JIA patients and controls as regard haemoglobin, ESRand CRP. JIA patients had significantly higher serumcalprotectin levels when compared to controls.Systemic subtype was founded to have higher serum calprotectin levels. There was significant positive correlation between serum calprotectin and clinical parameters of disease activity (JADAS 27), CRP, ESR, serum ferritin and ultrasound score (EULAR-OMERACT combined scoring system for grading synovitis).There was insignificant correlation between serum calprotectin levels and RF, ANA and AntiCCP in patients’ group.Therewas positive significant correlation between ultrasound score (EULAR-OMERACT combined scoring system for grading synovitis) and disease activity (JADAS 27).

Conclusion: Our research demonstrates a substantial correlation between serum calprotectin levels and clinical, laboratory, and ultrasound measures of joint inflammation. Serum In ordinary clinical practise, calprotectin is a helpful biomarker that, together with other indicators such as CRP and ESR and our clinical judgement, helps us make treatment choices. Indeed, this protein is very stable and readily detectable in serum.