European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory form of arthritis that predominantly affects the axial joints and has a global prevalence of 1%. It is the most commonly occurring form of spondyloarthropathy. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine implicated in several diseases
including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic vasculitis and ankylosing spondylitis Objective: To determine the serum levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in ankylosing spondylitis patients and to find out its possible correlation with disease activity. Patients and methods: This study was a case-control study conducted on 52 subjects (21 Ankylosing Spondylitis “AS”), and 21 healthy controls; to determine the serum levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in ankylosing spondylitis patients and to find out its possible correlation with disease activity. Results: Our results showed statistically significant difference between the studied groups regarding MIF (significantly higher in AS group). Conclusion: MIF appears to have the unique ability to drive inflammation and could play an important role in the pathogenesis of AS.