Association Between Blood PLT and RBC Related Indices and Disease Activity in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background: Platelet (PLT) and red blood cell (RBC) have been demonstrated to play a critical role in inflammatory processes. This study aimed to evaluate the association of blood PLT and RBC related parameters with the disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, and also to investigate the role of these indices in differentiating among RA patients with different disease activity. Methods: Clinical data from RA patients were retrospectively analyzed. RA patients were divided into inactive group and active group according to DAS28-CRP. The relationship between blood PLT and RBC counts-related indices and DAS28-CRP was detected by Spearman correlation. ROC curve was used to assess the diagnostic value of these indices in differentiating active RA from inactive RA. Results: Active RA patients exhibited higher level of PLT counts but significantly lower levels of RBC counts, hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cells-platelet ratio (RPR) and hemoglobin-platelet ratio (HPR) compared with inactive RA. PLT counts were positively but RBC counts, Hb, RPR and HPR were negatively related with DAS28-CRP. Conclusion: Blood PLT and RBC related indices were significantly associated with RA disease activity. These indices may be used to distinguish active RA from inactive RA.

Automated summary

This study found a significant association between blood platelet and red blood cell counts and the disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis. These indices may be used to differentiate among different disease activity levels in rheumatoid arthritis patients.