Aim
This study was designed to assess the serum levels boron (B), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn)
in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), and to evaluate their relationships with the
disease activity parameters.
Patients and methods
This study was conducted on 30 children with JIA and 20 apparently healthy children. Patients
were subjected to a thorough history‑taking, clinical examination, plain radiography of both
hands, and laboratory investigations including erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C‑reactive
protein, rheumatoid factor, and antinuclear antibodies. Disease activity was measured using
the Juvenile arthritis disease activity score 27 (JADAS‑27 score). Serum B, Cu, and Zn levels
were also measured.
Results
The mean serum B level was highly statistically significantly lower in the JIA patients’ group
than that in the control group. The mean serum Cu level was highly statistically significantly
higher in the JIA patients’ group than that in the control group. Finally, the mean serum Zn level
was statistically insignificantly lower in the JIA patients group than that in the control group.
There were significant negative correlations between serum B concentrations and tender joint
count (TJC). There were significant positive correlations between serum Cu concentrations
and TJC, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and JADAS‑27. There were significant negative
correlations between serum Zn concentrations and TJC and JADAS‑27.
Conclusion
B serum level may play a role in the pathophysiology of JIA and its severity. Serum
levels of B, Cu, and Zn seem to be of fundamental importance in the assessment of a JIA patient. |
