Does the serum level of IgA-alpha-1-antitrypsin complex correlate with radiological progression in early rheumatoid arthritis? A 3-year follow-up study

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
We followed the levels of serum IgA-alpha-1-antitrypsin (IgA-AT) complex in 37 patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during the first 3 years of the disease. The changes in IgA-AT were correlated with a radiological damage score (DS) of the hands assessed according to Larsen. At the onset of the disease, the IgA-AT serum concentration was significantly higher as compared to the control group (0.72±0.22 U vs 0.29±0.14 U, PPr=0.60, P<0.01). Our studies suggested that the relationship between IgA-AT level and radiological progression of the disease should be considered. We cannot exclude the possibility that the constant high level of IgA-AT may cause worsening in bone erosions.