Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory autoimmune polyarthritis with progressive destruction of the synovial joints
associated with systemic manifestations. RA is characterized by infiltration of the synovial joints with inflammatory immune
cells with premature immunosenescence. Shorter telomere length in the peripheral blood cells and increase in the oxidative stress
have been detected in patients with RA. The aim of the present study was to study the association of markers of telomere
shortening and oxidative stress with RA disease activity. Sixty-one RA patients and 15 healthy controls were enrolled in the
study. Demographic data, clinical examination, and disease activity status were evaluated for the RA patients. Serum levels of
chitinase and NAG (telomere markers) were determined by biochemical reactions using colloidal chitin and NAG as substrates,
respectively. Nitric oxide and superoxide dismutase (oxidative stress markers) were determined colometrically and spectrophotometrically,
respectively, in the sera of RA patients and controls. Results were correlated with disease activity. Indices of
telomere shortening and oxidative markers were significantly higher in RA patients compared to controls. These indices were
correlated with signs of disease activity (including number of swollen and tender joints, DAS-28, and inflammatory markers).
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which markers of telomere shortening and elevated oxidant stress correlate with disease activity.