University of Baghdad, College of Medicine, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Baghdad, Iraq.
University of Baghdad, College of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Baghdad, Iraq.
Med J Malaysia. 2024 Nov;79(6):777-784.
Interleukin (IL)-41, a type of cytokine also known as Metrnl, is involved in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory and immune-related diseases. However, its role in Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), a field yet to be explored, remains a mystery. This study therefore assesses the diagnostic utility of IL-41 in patients with AS and examines the correlations among IL-41 levels, disease activity, and patients' demographic and clinical data. Such novel insights could have significant implications for the diagnosis and management of AS.
Eighty-eight patients diagnosed with AS were enrolled from the Rheumatology Unit at Baghdad Teaching Hospital. Participants were categorized into two groups based on disease status: inactive (n = 44) and active (n = 44). Additionally, 44 matched healthy individuals were included as controls. Comprehensive medical histories were obtained, including disease duration, body mass index, sex, and age. Laboratory parameters related to the disease-such as C-reactive protein, human leukocyte antigen (HLA-B27), and rheumatoid factor-were also measured. Serum IL-41 levels were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
The study revealed a significant difference in levels of IL-41 in patients with AS (17.721±0.705 ng/L) compared to controls (8.495±0.984 ng/L; P = 0.009). The mean serum IL-41 concentration was highest in the active group (23.037±5.268 ng/L), followed by the inactive group (12.411±1.672 ng/L; p = 0.001) and controls (8.495±0.984 ng/L). Serum IL-41 levels demonstrated strong validity for diagnosing AS, with a cutoff value of ≥ 9.35 ng/mL and an area under the curve of 0.991. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 97.7%, 79.5%, and 92.38%, respectively (p = 0.002).
IL-41 is a potential new diagnostic biomarker for AS and associated with patient's disease activity. These insights could potentially transform the way we diagnose and manage AS, offering new avenues for improved patient care and outcomes.
白细胞介素（IL）-41，一种细胞因子，也被称为 Metrnl，参与各种炎症和免疫相关疾病的发病机制。然而，它在尚未探索的强直性脊柱炎（AS）中的作用仍然是一个谜。因此，本研究评估了 IL-41 在 AS 患者中的诊断效用，并检查了 IL-41 水平、疾病活动度与患者人口统计学和临床数据之间的相关性。这些新的见解可能对 AS 的诊断和管理具有重要意义。
从巴格达教学医院的风湿病科招募了 88 名被诊断为 AS 的患者。根据疾病状况将参与者分为两组：活动组（n=44）和非活动组（n=44）。此外，还纳入了 44 名匹配的健康个体作为对照组。获得了全面的病史，包括疾病持续时间、体重指数、性别和年龄。还测量了与疾病相关的实验室参数，如 C 反应蛋白、人类白细胞抗原（HLA-B27）和类风湿因子。使用酶联免疫吸附试验定量测定血清 IL-41 水平。
研究表明，与对照组（8.495±0.984ng/L；P=0.009）相比，AS 患者的 IL-41 水平有显著差异（17.721±0.705ng/L）。活动组的平均血清 IL-41 浓度最高（23.037±5.268ng/L），其次是非活动组（12.411±1.672ng/L；p=0.001）和对照组（8.495±0.984ng/L）。血清 IL-41 水平对诊断 AS 具有很强的有效性，截断值为≥9.35ng/mL，曲线下面积为 0.991。灵敏度、特异性和准确度分别为 97.7%、79.5%和 92.38%（p=0.002）。
IL-41 是 AS 的一种潜在的新型诊断生物标志物，与患者的疾病活动度相关。这些见解可能会改变我们诊断和管理 AS 的方式，为改善患者的护理和预后提供新的途径。
