LEVELS OF TLR 4 IN PATIENTS WITH GOUT: THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH DISEASE ACTIVITY

TLR 4 levels have a significant role in the development of rheumatic diseases, but role of TLR 4 in gout remains on the discussion. The aim of the study – to determine the level of TLR 4 in patients with gout and evaluate its association with the disease activity. Materials and Methods. Study involved 65 patients with gout (100 % men), aged (mean±SD) 53.1±9.7 years, with a disease duration 10.0±7.1 years. In 26 (40) we diagnosed tophaceous gout. Contol group was represented by 23 healthy persons. Diagnosis of gout was based on the ACR/EULAR 2015 criteria. The disease activity was determined by the Gout Activity Score (GAS). TLR 4 in serum was determined by EL ISA. Results and Discussion. TLR 4 levels in gout patients were significantly higher in comparison with practically healthy subjects (301.4±12.2) pg/ml and (280.1±8.7) pg/ml, respectively). The activity by GAS scale was (5.8±2.2). In patients with low TLR 4 (305.2 pg/ml), the highest activity was observed. The increase in the TLR 4 content was also accompanied by an increase in the number of gout attacks during the last year, the number of affected joints, and the intensity of pain for VAS . The level of TLR 4 correlated with GAS (r=0.55), the number of affected joints (r=0.47) the level of serum uric acid (r=0.27) and VAS (r=0.49, p