Serum Zinc, Copper and Calcium Levels In Female Rheumatoid Arthritic Patients

Abstract

Background: Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic multi-system autoimmune inflammatory disease,  characterized by inflammatory synovitis involving symmetrical peripheral joints. Serum copper, zinc  and calcium levels are altered in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: To observe serum zinc, copper and  calcium levels in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

Methods: This cross sectional study was  conducted in the Department of Physiology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University  (BSMMU), Shahbag, Dhaka from January to December 2010. For this, 60 female patients with  Rheumatoid arthritis aged 30-50 years were included in the study group. The patients were selected  from outpatient Department of Rheumatology wing of medicine in Bangabandhu Sheik Mujib Medical  University (BSMMU). For comparison age and BMI matched 30 apparently healthy female were also  studied. Serum calcium level was measured by Colorimetric method. Serum zinc and copper was  measured by Spectrophotometric method. For statistical analysis, independent sample t test was  performed by using SPSS for windows version-12.

Results: In this study, serum zinc and calcium  levels were significantly lower (p<0.001) and serum copper level was significantly higher (p<0.001) in  the RA patients than those of control.

Conclusion: This study may conclude that hypozincemia and  hypocalcemia and hypercupremia occur in RA. Therefore early detection of these micronutrient  abnormalities may be helpful for the physicians to prevent various complications in RA patients.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbsp.v7i1.11155

J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2012, June; 7(1): 18-22