Neopterin in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis
62 pts with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were included. Neopterin changes dependence on RA clinical course and duration, acute phase markers (ESR, CRP) changes, presence of IgG and IgM rheumatoid factors, autoantibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptide as well as neopterin prognostic significance were evaluated. Immuno-inflammatory process presentation in RA was most often accompanied by elevation of neopterin serum concentration associated with more severe clinical course of early RA, significant antibody formation and radiological progression. These data can prove prognostic significance and utility of neopterin evaluation in early RA.