Validity of Serum Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 in Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Case-Control Study from Iraq

Abstract

Objective: To assess validity of serum matrix metaloprotinase 9 (s.MMP 9) in diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA)Patients and methods: This case control study was conducted on 50 RA patients ( 10 males and 40 females) diagnosed by a rheumatologist according to American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1987 revised criteria or ACR- European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) 2010 Criteria and compared with 25 healthy controls (5 male and 20 female) matched in age and sex. Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients were recorded. S.MMP9 was measured using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) KIT in both groups.Results: No significant difference between patients and controls in age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) (p>0.05). Serum MMP9 was significantly higher in patients with RA than controls (188.4 ± 24.5 ng/ml vs 21.98 ± 7.87ng/ml, p<0.05).The optimum cut-off value of serum MMP9 that can differentiate between patients with RA from controls was 78.522ng/ml using Receiver Operating characteristic curve (ROC) test, with P value >.0001 and AUC was 1.00) with nearly 100% sensitivity and specificity. At cut-off value ≥34.038 we got the highest sensitivity 100% with specificity 96% and Accuracy 98.7%. And At cut-off value ≥125.479 we had got the highest specificity 100% with sensitivity 98% and Accuracy 98.7%.Conclusions: serum MMP9 was significantly higher in patients with RA than healthy controls. Serum MMP9 was a valid measure to differentiate between RA patients and healthy controls. This may be beneficial for early diagnosis of RA and subsequent a new promising treatment.

Keywords: Matrix metalloproteinase 9. Rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory arthritis, Matrix metalloproteinase