RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Autoantibodies against interleukin 1α in rheumatoid arthritis: association with long term radiographic outcome
JF Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
JO Ann Rheum Dis
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and European League Against Rheumatism
SP 598
OP 602
DO 10.1136/ard.61.7.598
VO 61
IS 7
A1 Graudal, N A
A1 Svenson, M
A1 Tarp, U
A1 Garred, P
A1 Jurik, A-G
A1 Bendtzen, K
YR 2002
UL http://ard.bmj.com/content/61/7/598.abstract
AB Objectives: To investigate the possible association of interleukin 1α autoantibodies (IL1α aAb) with the long term course of joint erosion in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: Serum samples from 176 patients with RA included in a prospective study over 30 years were analysed for IL1α aAb by binding to human [125I]IL1α. Erosions of 19 diarthrodial joints were radiographically scored by the Larsen method. Results: The relative risk (RR) of early IL1α aAb positive patients developing at least 30% of maximum radiographic joint destruction was significantly lower than for IL1α aAb negative patients, RR=0.29 (p=0.04). In rheumatoid factor positive patients RR was only 0.18 (p=0.02). Patients who seroconverted more than two years after the onset of RA showed the most aggressive development of joint erosion, with a relative risk of at least 40% of maximum radiographic joint destruction of 2.56 (p=0.048) Conclusions: The progression of radiographic joint destruction in patients with RA is associated with, and perhaps modified by, circulating IL1α aAb, suggesting that IL1α or IL1α aAb, or both, have a role in the erosive processes. IL1α aAb appear to be of prognostic significance in RA.