A study of several hematological and immunological parameters of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and their relationship with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Introduction and aim. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammation that damages the joints and causes disability. In RA, glucocorticoids reduce inflammation and peripheral insulin resistance. This study aimed to investigate hematological and immunological parameters, including interleukin-24 (IL-24), interleukin-32 (IL-32), and rheumatoid factor (RF), in patients with RA, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or both, and to assess their interrelationships. Material and methods. A case-control study on RA and type 2 diabetes mellitus was conducted at Al-Nasiriyah Education Hospital with 100 blood samples collected from patients, divided into four groups. Complete blood counts (CBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), RF, IL-24, and IL-32 levels were measured using automated analyzers and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results. Patients with both diseases showed elevated ESR (p<0.001) and RF (p<0.01). RA patients increased significantly in ESR and RF, but there was no statistically significant difference in RF in type 2 diabetic patients. IL-24 was not statistically significantly increased in RA patients. IL-32 levels increased significantly in type 2 diabetes (p=0.02), while RA showed no significant difference. Conclusion. Patients with RA have elevated levels of IL-32 expression and has a positive correlation with indicators of RA activity indicators such as ESR and RF. An increase in IL-24 and IL-32 in RA patients indicates a positive correlation between IL-24 and IL-32. Diabetic patients exhibit significantly elevated pro-inflammatory properties of IL-32.