Plasma levels of microRNA-24-3p as a potential diagnostic biomarker for rheumatoid arthritis in some Egyptian patients

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease that presents as a symmetrical polyarthritis characterized by joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of microRNA-24-3p (miRNA-24-3p), in the plasma of RA patients and compare it with that of healthy controls with the goal of establishing a specific expression profile for early diagnosis and improved patient care. This case-control study was carried out on 100 RA patients attending Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine department and 50 age and sex-matched control individuals. Disease severity score (DAS-28) was used to assess the disease’s level. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used for detection of plasma level of miRNA-24-3p and other lab tests including blood picture, c-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocytes sedimentation rate (ESR) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) were also performed. The miRNA-24-3p expression was statistically significant higher among RA cases than controls (p < 0.001) and was positively associated with higher ESR, white blood cells (WBCs) and along with the number of tendered/swallow joints (p < 0.05). Higher CRP, ESR, Anti-CCP, and miRNA-24-3p expression were found to be significant predictors of DAS28 scores in univariable analysis. Higher CRP and miRNA-24-3p expression exhibit substantial impact in multivariate analysis, indicating a strong statistical significance in their association with higher DAS28 grades. The elevated expression of miR-24-3p suggests its probable contribution to both the onset of RA and the activity measured by DAS28 score. Consequently, assessing its expression levels may serve as a valuable tool for the diagnosis and management of RA.