A Study of Serum Adenosine Deaminase Activity in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background: Numerous studies suggest that serum adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity could serve as a potential diagnostic marker for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, no independent study has validated this finding in our population. This study aims to measure total ADA activity in the serum of our RA patients and assess its diagnostic potential. Methods: The study included 50 RA patients who sought medical care at Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences, Karimnagar. An equal number of age- and sex-matched healthy controls were also enrolled. Blood samples were collected from all participants and analyzed for serum total ADA activity, C-reactive protein (CRP), and rheumatoid factor (RF). Results: Serum total ADA activity was significantly higher (p<0.01) in RA patients (30.9 ± 10.6 U/L) compared to healthy controls (13.66 ± 3.75 U/L). However, no significant difference (p>0.05) in ADA activity was observed between smokers and non-smokers within the RA group. Among the 50 RA patients, only 13 (26%) tested positive for CRP, and 11 (22%) tested positive for RF. Conclusion The significant difference in ADA activity between RA patients and healthy controls highlights its potential utility as a marker in diagnosing the disease within our population, especially when considered alongside clinical background.