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Cited by 184Rheumatoid Arthritis Research and TherapiesAdrenal Hormones and DisordersStress Responses and Cortisol

Inadequately low serum levels of steroid hormones in relation to interleukin‐6 and tumor necrosis factor in untreated patients with early rheumatoid arthritis and reactive arthritis

Straub, Rainer H., Paimela, Leena, Peltomaa, Ritva, Schölmerich, Jürgen, Leirisalo‐Repo, Marjatta·2002·Arthritis & Rheumatism
DOI 10.1002/art.10177
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Abstract

Objective: To compare levels of steroid hormones in relation to cytokines and to study levels of cortisol or dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in relation to other adrenal hormones in untreated patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and reactive arthritis (ReA) compared with healthy controls. Methods: In a retrospective study with 34 RA patients, 46 ReA patients, and 112 healthy subjects, we measured serum levels of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, 17‐hydroxyprogesterone (17‐OH‐progesterone), androstenedione (ASD), DHEA, and DHEA sulfate (DHEAS). Results: RA patients had higher serum levels of IL‐6, TNF, cortisol, and DHEA compared with ReA patients and healthy subjects, but no difference was noticed with respect to ACTH and DHEAS. However, in RA and ReA patients compared with healthy subjects, levels of ACTH, cortisol, ASD, DHEAS, and 17‐OH‐progesterone were markedly lower in relation to levels of IL‐6 and TNF. Furthermore, the number of swollen joints correlated inversely with the ratio of serum cortisol to serum IL‐6 in RA (R Rank = −0.582, P = 0.001) and, to a lesser extent, in ReA (R Rank = −0.417, P = 0.011). In RA patients, the mean grip strength of both hands was positively correlated with the ratio of serum cortisol to serum IL‐6 (R Rank = 0.472, P = 0.010). Furthermore, in these untreated patients with RA and ReA, there was a relative decrease in the secretion of 17‐OH‐progesterone, ASD, and DHEAS in relation to DHEA and cortisol. This indicates a relative predominance of the nonsulfated DHEA and cortisol in relation to all other measured adrenal steroid hormones in the early stages of these inflammatory diseases. Conclusion: This study indicates that levels of ACTH and cortisol are relatively low in relation to levels of IL‐6 and TNF in untreated patients with early RA and ReA compared with healthy subjects. The study further demonstrates that there is a relative increase of DHEA and cortisol in relation to other adrenal hormones, such as DHEAS. This study emphasizes that adrenal steroid secretion is inadequately low in relation to inflammation. Although changes in hormone levels are similar in RA and ReA, alteration of steroidogenesis is more pronounced in RA patients than in ReA patients.

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Authors
Straub, R. H., Paimela, L., Peltomaa, R., Schölmerich, J., & Leirisalo‐Repo, M.
Affiliations
  • University Hospital Regensburg (DE)
  • Tekonivelsairaala Orton (FI)
  • Helsinki University Hospital (FI)
ORCID
Venue
Arthritis & Rheumatism
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2002-03
Volume
46
Issue
3
Pages
654-662
ISSN
  • 0004-3591 (ISSN-L)
  • 1529-0131
DOI
10.1002/art.10177
OpenAlex
W2006724319
Cited by
183
References
52
Citations by year
2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 7
FWCI
8.00
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor, 6 d)
Locations
  • Arthritis & Rheumatism (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Str 511/5-1,2)
  • Helsinki University Central Hospital Research Funds
  • University Hospital Regensburg
  • Orton Hospital Invalid Foundation
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Rheumatology › Rheumatoid Arthritis Research and Therapies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Adrenal Hormones and Disorders
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
Keywords
rheumatoid arthritis, reactive arthritis, interleukin-6, TNF-α, cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone, DHEA sulfate, ACTH, adrenal steroids, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, joint swelling, grip strength, untreated patients, early arthritis, adrenal insufficiency
MeSH terms
Prohibitins, Adrenal Cortex Hormones, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Arthritis, Rheumatoid, Female, Hormones, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Reference Values, Retrospective Studies, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha, Interleukin-6, Cytokines, Arthritis, Reactive

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