The Relationship between Mannose-Binding Lectin and Diagnostic Parameters of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by bone destruction and the presence of inflammatory markers. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic significance of MBL and various RA biomarkers in patients with RA. A total of 141 participants were included in this case-control study, comprising 88 patients aged 18–72 years who were diagnosed with RA and matched with 53 healthy controls. The levels of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACCP2), rheumatoid factor (RF) IgA and IgM, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured using ELISA. Descriptive analysis revealed that twice as many patients with RA were females, and nine times as many had positive CRP and ESR results. Significant increases were observed in the median levels of CRP, MBL, ESR, and RF-IgM in patients with RA compared with those in the control group (P <0.05), while no difference was noted in the median RF-IgA and ACCP. It was found that females were more likely to have MBL deficiency than males (P = 0.045, OR = 3.5). Furthermore, elderly patients with RA (31–72 years old) had a higher risk of MBL deficiency than young adults (18–30 years old) (P = 0.021, OR = 8.1). Positive associations were identified between ACCP, RF-IgA, and RF-IgM levels, whereas age showed an inverse correlation with CRP levels. These data suggest that combining MBL with RF-IgM, RF-IgA, and ACCP can improve RA diagnoses and patient care.