Introduction: The aim of the study is to investigate serum levels of 14-3-3 η (ETA) protein in patients with gout and possible relations with joint damage.
Method: This cross-sectional study included 43 gout patients and 30 control patients.
Results: Serum 14-3-3 η protein levels were significantly higher in gout patients (median [IQR], 3.1 [2.0] vs 2.2 [1.0], p = 0.007). In subgroup analyses of gout patients, serum 14-3-3 η protein levels did not differ between patients with and without a flare, tophaceous disease, elevated CRP and serum uric acid levels and a history of chronic kidney disease; however, were significantly higher in the patients with erosions (Median [IQR], 4.1 [2.7] vs 2.7 [1.5], p = 0.002). According to ROC curve, serum 14-3-3 η protein had 86.0% sensitivity and 30% specifity at a cut-off point of 1.7 ng/mL and had 74.7% sensitivity and 43.3% specifity at a cut-off point of 2.0 ng/mL.
Conclusion: Our results demonstrated elevated levels of 14-3-3 η protein in gout patients which is more prominent in patients with erosive changes, implying role of 14-3-3 η protein in inflammatory and structural damage related pathways and suggesting a potential as a marker for disease severity.
Keywords: 14–3-3 η protein; Gout; Matrix metalloproteinases; İnterleukin 1β.
Copyright © 2023 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.