Serum Melatonin Levels Related with Night Pain and High Disease Activity in Seronegative Spondyloarthritis Patients

Year 2020, Volume: 6 Issue: 4, 177 - 187, 31.12.2020

Cengiz KARACAER Cemal BES Erdinc SERİN Mehmet SOY

Abstract

Aim: Circadian rhythms play a major role in regulation of human physiological functions. Many signs and symptoms of inflammatory arthritis, especially in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), show intra- and inter-day variations. We aimed to measure serum levels of melatonin (MLT), interferon gamma (IFNγ), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and cortisol and to investigate relation with clinical parameters in patients with seronegative spondyloarthritis (SPA).
Methods: The study was designed prospectively. 17 patients with SPA (9 patients with Anklyosing Sponylitis, 8 patients with psoriatic arthritis), 20 patients with RA and 20 healthy controls were included to study. Serum MLT, IFNγ, IL-10 and cortisol measurement were made in patients and healthy controls at 8 p.m., 3 a.m. and 8 a.m.
Results: We found that MLT values of SPA patients were statistically lower (p=0,017) than healthy groups at 3 a.m.. Level of cortisol in RA patients at 8 a.m. were significantly lower than SPA patient and healthy control groups (p=0.047 and p=0.006; respectively). Cortisol levels in SPA patients which is measured at 8 a.m. was significantly higher (p=0.001) than other measurement in day. There was also significant positive correlation between Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and MLT levels measured at 8:00 p.m. in patients with SPA (r=0.688; p=0.040).
Conclusion: Serum MLT levels well correlated with disease activity in SPA patients. Back pain which is seen midnight can be related to decrease in MLT secretion. Our findings suggests MLT have a role in pathogenesis of SPA but, it is need more detailed studies for explaining of this role of MLT in pathogenesis of SPA.

Keywords

Circadian rhythm, Melatonin, Rheumatoid arthritis, Spondylo-arthropathies, Hypothalamopituitary adrenal axis

Supporting Institution

Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal Üniversitesi Bilimsel Araştırma Projesi

Thanks

I would like to express my respects and thanks to my esteemed, Prof Dr. Mehmet Soy, Prof Dr. Cemal Bes, Prof Dr. Erdinç Serin, for their support and knowledge throughout this thesis study.

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