Genetic factors influencing the outcome of early arthritis--the role of sulphoxidation status.
A minority of individuals have an impaired ability to oxidize sulphur. An increased prevalence of this poor S-oxidation capacity has been observed in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The role of this enzyme system in the development of disease was studied by testing the S-oxidation capacity of 54 patients with recent onset symmetrical poly-arthritis, who were followed up at 1 and 4 years. Those patients with persistent disease at 1 year had a prevalence of poor S-oxidation of 69%. At 4 years 74% of those with a diagnosis of RA were poor S-oxidizers compared to 31% of those who were asymptomatic (P less than 0.01). A defective ability to oxidize sulphur appears to predispose to persistent clinical disease.
Emery
P
P
Department of Rheumatology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston.
Bradley
H
H
Arthur
V
V
Tunn
E
E
Waring
R
R
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002233:Carbocysteine / Q000378:metabolism; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011379:Prognosis; D013454:Sulfoxides / Q000378:metabolism; D013455:Sulfur / Q000378:metabolism*
D013454:Sulfoxides; D013455:Sulfur; D002233:Carbocysteine