Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, progressive, systemic inflammatory disease. Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is a cytokine that is expressed in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and expected to play an important role in the pathogenesis of RA. Many years, the measurement of disease activity in RA has been held by Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS-28). Regarding the correlation between serum level of IL-17 and disease activity, some authors found a good significant correlation between these parameters,while others stated that DAS-28 values for expressing disease activity in RA patients may be flawed by coexisting fibromyalgia lead to higher total scores. Health Assessment Questionnaire –Disability Index (HAQ-DI) has been usually used for disability assessment in RA patients. It is one of the most widely used comprehensive, validated and patient-oriented outcome assessment instruments.

Objectives To study the relation between serum IL-17 level, DAS-28 CRP and HAQ-DI in RA patients.

Methods The study included 25 RA patients and 20 healthy controls. Serum IL-17 was measured by ELISA, disease activity by DAS-28 CRP and functional disability by HAQ-DI.

Results Serum IL-17 level among RA patients was significantly higher than healthy control (p <0.001). Serum IL-17 levels showed insignificant correlation with DAS-28 CRP and HAQ-DI of RA patients.

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Conclusions IL-17 doesnot correlate with disease activity and functional disability in RA patients.

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Acknowledgement Deep thanks to my professors, parents and my husband.

Disclosure of Interest None declared