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Extended report
Autoantibodies against interleukin 1α in rheumatoid arthritis: association with long term radiographic outcome
  1. N A Graudal1,5,
  2. M Svenson1,
  3. U Tarp2,
  4. P Garred4,
  5. A-G Jurik3,
  6. K Bendtzen1
  1. 1Institute for Inflammation Research, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
  2. 2Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
  3. 3Department of Radiology, Aarhus University Hospital
  4. 4Tissue Typing Laboratory of the Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
  5. 5Department of Rheumatology, Gentofte University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
  1. Correspondence to:
    Dr N A Graudal, Institute for Inflammation Research, Rigshospitalet, Tagensvej 20, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark;
    graudal{at}dadlnet.dk

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the possible association of interleukin 1α autoantibodies (IL1α aAb) with the long term course of joint erosion in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Serum samples from 176 patients with RA included in a prospective study over 30 years were analysed for IL1α aAb by binding to human [125I]IL1α. Erosions of 19 diarthrodial joints were radiographically scored by the Larsen method.

Results: The relative risk (RR) of early IL1α aAb positive patients developing at least 30% of maximum radiographic joint destruction was significantly lower than for IL1α aAb negative patients, RR=0.29 (p=0.04). In rheumatoid factor positive patients RR was only 0.18 (p=0.02). Patients who seroconverted more than two years after the onset of RA showed the most aggressive development of joint erosion, with a relative risk of at least 40% of maximum radiographic joint destruction of 2.56 (p=0.048)

Conclusions: The progression of radiographic joint destruction in patients with RA is associated with, and perhaps modified by, circulating IL1α aAb, suggesting that IL1α or IL1α aAb, or both, have a role in the erosive processes. IL1α aAb appear to be of prognostic significance in RA.

  • autoantibodies
  • cytokine
  • interleukin 1α
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • aAb, autoantibodies
  • IL, interleukin
  • ra, receptor antagonist
  • RA, rheumatoid arthritis
  • TNF tumour necrosis factor

https://doi.org/10.1136/ard.61.7.598

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