Background: RA is a chronic and systemic inflammatory disease described by synovial inflammation and the progressive destruction of joint ligaments and bones. CXCR3 is a seven-transmembrane G-protein-coupled chemokine receptor that has been appeared to play a vital role in a variety of inflammatory and immunological responses. We aimed to evaluate the utility of serum CXCR3 levels in the diagnosis, monitor, and follow-up of RA patients.
Methods: Sixty RA patients were divided into; 30 early RA patients with disease duration < 2 years and 30 longstanding RA patients with disease duration ≥ 2 years. Thirty healthy subjects were recruited as a control group. Medical history and clinical data were taken. All the patients were assessed for ESR, CRP, RF, Anti-CCP, and CXCR3 serum levels.
Results: Serum CXCR3 level was significantly elevated in RA patients compared to healthy normal controls with a highly statistically significant difference (P<0.001). The serum levels of CXCR3 were elevated in Long-standing RA more than early RA. Serum level of CXCR3 was only positively correlated with the duration of disease (r=0.540, p= >0.001) and combined treatment (r=0.296, p=0.022). ROC curves were plotted for prediction of serum CXCR3 in RA patients. The best cut-off value of 4.026 ng/mL serum CXCR3 that indicate the presence of early RA disease with 71.7% sensitivity and 70% specificity (p=0.005).
Conclusion: Serum CXCR3 is an imperative predictive biomarker for the diagnosis of RA and is an indicator of early RA disease and endorses the established RA disease.