Gizem VARKAL, Gul Sahika GOKDEMIR
Dynamic Medical Theories - 2026;2(2):122-126
Aim: To evaluate the associations of serum ferritin, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 levels with disease activity measured by the Disease Activity Score 28-C-Reactive Protein (DAS28-CRP) and to compare these biomarkers between controls and patients with RA receiving conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) or biologic therapy. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 109 patients with RA (77 receiving conventional DMARD therapy and 32 receiving biologic therapy) and 24 controls. Demographic, clinical, treatment-related, and laboratory data were retrieved from the hospital information management system. Serum ferritin, vitamin D, vitamin B12, and folate levels were compared among the groups using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Correlations between DAS28-CRP and laboratory variables were evaluated using Spearman's rank correlation analysis. Results: Serum ferritin and vitamin B12 levels were comparable among the three groups (both p > 0.05). In contrast, serum vitamin D levels differed significantly, with higher concentrations in both RA treatment groups than in controls (p = 0.029). No significant correlations were observed between DAS28-CRP and serum ferritin (r = 0.001, p = 0.991), vitamin D (r = -0.104, p = 0.280), or vitamin B12 (r = 0.065, p = 0.502). Conclusion: Serum ferritin, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 levels were not associated with disease activity in patients with RA. Although vitamin D levels were higher in treated patients, likely reflecting routine supplementation, none of these biomarkers appeared to be a reliable surrogate marker of disease activity.
