Objectives: There is a need for more specific biomarkers to diagnose and predict disease course in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). This study aimed to study immunological plasma biomarkers at different time-points in radiographic (r)-axSpA patients overall and stratified by sex and compare these biomarker patterns in r-axSpA patients concerning disease phenotypes and disease activity.
Methods: Plasma samples were analysed from r-axSpA patients at and prior (Pre-Backbone) inclusion in the Backbone study. Interferon gamma, interleukin-10, -17A, -17F, -22, -23, -6, MCP-1, TNF-alpha, VEGF-A, MIF, IgA anti-CD74, zonulin, ESR, hsCRP, white blood cell count, and blood lipids were measured.
Results: Biomarker pattern discriminated significantly between r-axSpA patients in Backbone and Pre-Backbone compared with controls. When stratifying by sex, it was possible to discriminate between male and female r-axSpA patients in Backbone vs controls and between male r-axSpA patients in pre-Backbone and controls. In Backbone, markers with high discriminative capacity were MIF, IgA anti-CD74, and MCP-1. In Pre-Backbone, IL-6, TNF-alpha, MIF, triglycerides, cholesterol, IL-10, and zonulin displayed high discriminative capacity.
Conclusion: Based on their temporal pattern and mutual relationship, we suggest studying MIF, IgA anti-CD74, and MCP-1 in depth, at more time points, to further elucidate disease-driving mechanisms in this complex disease.
Oxford University Press, 2025. Vol. 35, no 1, p. 134-143
Ankylosing spondylitis, biomarkers, longitudinal observational study, Northern Sweden Health and Disease Study, radiographic axial spondyloarthritis