Serum leptin levels are associated with the presence of syndesmophytes in male patients with ankylosing spondylitis.
The aim of this study is to clarify the association between serum leptin levels and the presence of syndesmophytes in male patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Seventy-two male patients with AS and 20 age-matched healthy male controls were included. Patients were stratified by the presence of syndesmophytes. Serum leptin levels were measured and adjusted for body mass index (BMI). In addition, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), osteocalcin, and telopeptide of type I collagen were determined. Patients with syndesmophytes were associated with older age (p < 0.001), longer disease duration (p = 0.003), and higher BMI (p = 0.038). Serum leptin levels and leptin per BMI (leptin/BMI) ratio were not different between AS patients and healthy controls. However, serum leptin/BMI ratio was significantly higher in patients with syndesmophytes compared to those without (p = 0.010). In multivariate analysis, higher serum leptin/BMI ratio remained significantly associated with the presence of syndesmophytes (p = 0.029). Moreover, serum leptin/BMI ratio was positively correlated with serum BALP (γ = 0.279, p = 0.039). However, there was no significant association between serum leptin/BMI ratio and bone mineral density. Serum leptin levels are elevated in male AS patients with syndesmophytes and were found to be correlated with bone formation marker, suggesting a potential role of leptin in new bone formation in AS.
Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Ki-Jo
KJ
Kim
Ji-Young
JY
Kim
Su-Jung
SJ
Park
Hosung
H
Yoon
Chong-Hyeon
CH
Yoon
Wan-Uk
WU
Kim
Chul-Soo
CS
Cho
D000328:Adult; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015519:Bone Density; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*
D015415:Biomarkers; D020738:Leptin; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase