A study of the relationship between hsa-miR-5571-5p, rheumatoid factor, and the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis in some Iraqi  patients

Abstract

  Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and progressive joint damage. Genetic and molecular factors play a significant role in disease development. This study focused on measuring of hsa-miR‐5571-5p and some immunological markers with the risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis. A total of 100 subjects were involved in a case-control study during their attendance at Al-Marjan Hospital / Babylon from March 2025 to February 2026. Subjects were divided into two groups, including 50 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) under treatment and 50 control group. Blood samples were collected, and clinical and laboratory tests were performed, including measuring rheumatoid factor (RF). Results: The rheumatoid factor was positive in 94% of patients. The expression level of miRNA0557105p was significantly lower in the patient group than in the control group, 0.98 (0.56) versus 1.66 (0.84), respectively (p <0.001). Conclusion: The study concludes that a decrease in hsa-miR‐5571-5p, may contribute to the inflammatory and immune dysfunction mechanisms associated with rheumatoid arthritis. This suggests these molecules could serve as promising biomarkers for diagnosis and future monitoring of the disease.