Assessment of Autoimmune and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Rheumatoid Arthritis Subjects in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disorder characterised by persistent synovial inflammation and progressive joint damage. Aim: This study assessed selected autoimmune and inflammatory biomarkers among individuals with RA in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study included 78 participants aged 35–75 years, comprising 31 participants with RA and 47 apparently healthy controls. Serum anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) and anti-β2-glycoprotein I (anti-β2GPI) IgG antibodies were measured by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, while erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was determined using the Westergren method. Data were analysed using GraphPad Prism version 10.6.1, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Participants with RA had higher anti-CCP concentrations than controls (0.56 ± 0.47 versus 0.35 ± 0.21 U/mL; p = 0.0222) and higher ESR values (11.7 ± 5.6 versus 6.6 ± 3.5 mm/hr; p < 0.0001). Anti-β2GPI concentrations did not differ significantly between groups (p = 0.4602). In sex-stratified comparisons, ESR was significantly elevated among both male and female participants with RA. Anti-CCP was significantly elevated among female participants but not among males, whereas anti-β2GPI showed no significant difference in either subgroup. Conclusion: Anti-CCP and ESR demonstrated potential utility in the assessment of RA in this population, while the clinical relevance of anti-β2GPI remains uncertain. Larger studies incorporating disease-activity and treatment data are required.