Validity of 14-3-3? Protein in Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis among Iraqi Patients

Objective to assess serum 14-3-3 protein in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and its association with other basic immunologic markers, rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA). Methods The study included 50 RA patients and 35 healthy controls. Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients and controls were recorded. Serum 14-3-3 protein was measured in patients and controls. highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), RF, and ACPA were evaluated. Results Age and BMI were significantly higher in RA patients compared to control, the percentage of female was significantly higher in RA compared to control (female to male ratio was 5.251 in RA, and 1.71 in control). Serum levels of 14, 3, 3 protein, ACPA and RF were significantly higher in RA patients compared to control, hsCRP was higher in RA patients compared to controls however it was not statistically significant. RF had an excellent ability to discriminate between RA and control (AUC 0.9), serum 14-3-3 protein had a good ability to discriminate (AUC between 0.800 0.899), the ACPA and hsCRP had poor ability to discriminate between RA and controls. Conclusion the study demonstrates that the 14-3-3 protein in combination with RF and ACPA identified in most patients with RA and had a good ability to discriminate between patients and control.