J Korean Rheum Assoc.
1995 Jan;2(1):19-27.
Trace Element Levels In Hair As An Indicator For Disease Activity Of Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Affiliations
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- 1Rheumatism Center, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medinine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea.
- 2Department of Diagnostic Radiology, College of Medinine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea.
- 3Department of Chemisty, College of Natural Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Zinc and copper are the second and third most abundant trace elements following iron in the human body. Zinc and copper have important effects on humoral and cell-mediated immunity. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, it has been reported that serum zinc level is decreased and seurm copper level increased. But no reports are available for the trace element level of hair in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. We studied to investigate the significance of trace element level of hair in rheumatoid arthritis patients, particularly its relation to disease activity.
METHODS
The trace element level of hair was estimated in 50 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 22 osteoarthritis patients by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and was investigate the correlation to various disease activity indices of rheumatoid arthritis.
RESULTS
The results were as follows: 1) There was no significant difference in either the zinc or copper level in hair between patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. 2) No correlation was observed between the zinc or copper level in hair and age or disease duration for rheumatoid arthritis patients. 3) Zinc and copper levels of hair did not correlate with various indices of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Zinc and copper levels of hair in rheumatoid arthritis patients were not different from those of osteoarthritis and did not correlate with disease activity indices. Studies on the effect of antirheumatic drug therapy on trace element level of hair are necessary.
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