Novel Biomarker of Collagen Degradation Can Identify Patients Affected With Both Axial Spondyloarthritis and Crohn Disease

Signe Holm Nielsen, Andrew Stahly, Emilie H. Regner, Anne Christine Bay-Jensen, Morten A. Karsdal, Kristine A. Kuhn

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective. Chronic inflammatory arthritis is a hallmark of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), where coexistence of Crohn disease (CD) is prominent. We investigated the association between biomarkers of collagen degradation in healthy controls (HCs) and in patients with axSpA, CD, and CD and axSpA overlap (CD-axSpA), with the aim to investigate the ability of the biomarkers to identify patients with CD-axSpA. Methods. Patients with axSpA who fulfilled Assessment of Spondyloarthritis international Society criteria (n = 13), had biopsy-proven CD (n = 14), had CD-axSpA (n = 10), and HCs (n = 11) undergoing standard-of-care colonoscopies were included in the study. The collagen biomarkers measuring type III, IV, VI and X collagen (C3M, C4M, C6M, and C10C, respectively) were measured in plasma samples from all subject groups. Statistical analysis was performed using an ANCOVA adjusted for age, an area under the receiver-operating characteristic (AUROC) curve analysis, and Spearman correlation. Results. C4M was significantly higher in patients with CD-axSpA overlap compared to axSpA, CD, and HCs (all P < 0.001). In an AUROC analysis, C4M showed a complete separation between the patients with CD-axSpA overlap compared to HC, axSpA and CD with an area under the curve (AUC) = 1.00 (P < 0.001). No differences were found between the patient groups for C3M, C6M, and C10C. No correlations were found between the collagen biomarkers and C-reactive protein, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index, or Harvey-Bradshaw Index scores. Conclusion. Degradation of type IV collagen quantified by C4M showed a complete separation of patients with CD-axSpA overlap, compared to axSpA, CD, and HCs, and indicates excessive collagen degradation and epithelial turnover. This biomarker could potentially be used to identify patients affected by both manifestations and to guide treatment decisions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1335-1340
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Rheumatology
Volume49
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • ankylosing spondylitis
  • biomarkers
  • collagen
  • inflammatory bowel disease
  • spondyloarthritis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Rheumatology
  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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