Decreased serum cell-free DNA levels in rheumatoid arthritis

rheumatoid arthritis . Serum copper levels in Teape

may predispose to intravertebral herniation of portions of the disc producing cartilaginous or Schmorl's nodes. In rheumatoid arthritis, apophyseal joint instability and vertebral body osteoporosis may contribute to the incidence of such cartilaginous node formation. The similarity of radiographically evident rheumatoid discovertebral alterations (such as disc space loss, subchondral radiolucen...

Serum calcium levels in rheumatoid arthritis.

Total and corrected (for albumin) serum calcium levels were investigated in a cross-sectional study of 394 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 4490 healthy subjects, and 2609 inpatients at a district general hospital. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis had lower mean calcium levels than the healthy subject (p less than 0.001), but had similar levels to inpatients at the district general hospita...

Melatonin serum levels in rheumatoid arthritis.

The pineal hormone melatonin (MLT) exerts a variety of effects on the immune system. MLT activates immune cells and enhances inflammatory cytokine and nitric oxide production. Cytokines are strongly involved in the synovial immune and inflammatory response in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and reach the peak of concentration in the early morning, when MLT serum level is higher. Nocturnal MLT serum l...

Free thiomalate levels in rheumatoid arthritis.

Low free testosterone levels in rheumatoid arthritis.

The androgen status of 25 male patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was assessed and compared with that of age matched controls with osteoarthritis (OA). Significantly reduced levels of serum free testosterone were found in the RA group. Within that group free testosterone was unrelated to all indices of disease activity measured, though it was strongly related to latex positivity. These res...