Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease, characterized by joint pain, stiffness, and deformity. Both environmental determinants and genetic factors play a role in RA development and progression. Oxidative stress due to reactive oxygen species (ROS) can aggravate these symptoms. Studies on trace elements such as magnesium (Mg) and uric acid (UA) suggest that these can be potential treatment targets. Therefore, we designed this study to compare Mg and UA levels in patients with RA and healthy individuals.
Methods: This was a case-control study with 43 patients with RA and 43 healthy controls. Patients with RA were diagnosed based on ACR/EULAR criteria and were categorized by Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28). Blood samples were collected for laboratory tests, including UA, Mg, C-reactive protein (CRP), and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody levels.
Results: The study found no significant difference in serum UA levels between patients with RA and healthy controls. However, Mg levels were significantly lower in patients with RA. Mg levels were not significantly different according to DAS. A significant inverse correlation was found between Mg levels and CRP serum levels. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that anti-CCP had high sensitivity for RA diagnosis, with an optimal cut-off point of 32.5 U/ml.
Conclusion: Low Mg levels should be expected in patients with RA. Supplementing Mg may be a helpful treatment approach in this group. In contrast, UA does not appear to be influenced by RA, but its antioxidant properties cannot be entirely disregarded. Moreover, anti-CCP shows high sensitivity as a diagnostic tool for RA.