A LONGITUDINAL-STUDY OF CALPROTECTIN AS AN INFLAMMATORY MARKER IN PATIENTS WITH REACTIVE ARTHRITIS

Objective: To examine the value of calprotectin, a major granulocyte p rotein with bactericide properties, as all inflammatory marker in pati ents with reactive arthritis. Methods: Twenty-five patients with Chlam ydia-induced and 27 patients with enterobacteria-induced reactive arth ritis were analysed. At the first visit and after 3, 12, 24, 52 and 10 4 weeks, calprotectin concentrations were measured in plasma and when possible, in synovial fluid C-reactive protein (CRP) and the erythrocy te sedimentation rate (ESR) were analysed and clinical assessments of disease activity were performed. Results: Of the inflammatory markers, the plasma calprotectin concentrations were the first to normalize du ring recovery. Calprotectin concentrations in the plasma were highly c orrelated with CRP and ESR, and calprotectin was found to have high co rrelation coefficients with the clinical assessments of disease activi ty. High calprotectin concentrations were found in the synovial fluid. Conclusion: The high correlations between calprotectin in plasma and clinical and laboratory markers of inflammation, as well as the rapid normalization following clinical improvement, demonstrate that calprot ectin may be used as an inflammatory marker in patients with reactive arthritis.