Sex hormones in postmenopausal HLA-identical rheumatoid arthritis discordant sibling pairs.
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), testosterone, androstenedione, 17-beta estradiol and sex hormone binding globulin have been assayed in 50 HLA-identical postmenopausal rheumatoid arthritis (RA) discordant sibling pairs. The only difference was for DHEAS, siblings with RA having a significantly lower level than their sisters. However, in 68 patients with RA, the level of DHEAS inversely correlated with disease duration, a radiographic grading score, the Health Assessment Questionnaire score, duration of morning stiffness, and a clinical score of disease activity and severity (the Spread/Severity index). These observations, taken with that of previous work on DHEAS, suggest that low levels may be a consequence of RA rather than predisposing to the disease. The role of sex hormones in RA will have to be approached in alternative ways.
Deighton
C M
CM
Department of Rheumatology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK.
Watson
M J
MJ
Walker
D J
DJ
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D014427:Twins / Q000235:genetics*
D006680:HLA Antigens; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate