Salivary Leptin, pH and Flow Rate Among a Group of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis In Iraq

Abstract

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic multisystemic disease which can lead to significant deformities and functional disability.Objectives:is to estimate level of salivary Leptin, flow rate and pH of saliva among group of patients with rheumatoid arthritis according to treatment.Patients and methods: Study design ;a case control study included Fifty women patients with rheumatoid arthritis; twenty-five on Methotrexate treatment and twenty-five on combination treatment of Methotrexate and Etanercept selected as study groups with an age range (30-40) years old and twenty-five gender, age and Body Mass Index matched healthy looking persons were selected as control. Collection of unstimulated salivary samples was carried out under standard conditions then salivary flow rate, pH in addition salivary Leptin was estimatedResults after adjustment for age, gender and body mass index; mean salivary flow rate was highest among rheumatoid arthritis cases on combination treatment (Etanercept and Methotrexate) =0.4±0.202 ml/min and least significant difference test between groups was statistically significant (p< 0.05). The mean salivary pH was highest among rheumatoid arthritis cases on combination treatment (Etanercept and Methotrexate) =7.1±0.29; however the differences between groups failed to reach the level of statistical significance. The median of salivary Leptin was highest among rheumatoid arthritis cases on Methotrexate =0.65ng/ml without statistically significant difference between groups, furthermore the salivary levels of Leptin in this study reveals weak correlation with disease activity score 28 r=0.127/p=0.42 among rheumatoid arthritis patients.  Conclusions:the whole unstimulated salivary flow rate was higher among rheumatoid arthritis cases on combination treatment (Etanercept and Methotrexate) revealing improvements in salivary gland functions, the study also concluded that salivary Leptin level is of low importance to assess disease activity to rheumatoid arthritis patients .

Keywords: rheumatoid arthritis, salivary flow rate, salivary Leptin