EVALUATION OF MYOKINES SERUM LEVELS, MUSCLE MASS AND RADIOGRAPHIC PROGRESSION IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Myokines, such as irisin and myostatin, are cytokines/growth factors mainly expressed in skeletal muscle, which is also their primary target tissue. They exert physiological and pathological functions in distant organs. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients have significant joint destruction, as well as muscle loss. Irisin is known to increase bone and muscle mass, while myostatin is a negative regulator of muscle growth and promotes osteoclastogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum levels of irisin and myostatin, body composition and one-year radiographic progression in RA patients.