Relationship between matrix metalloproteinase-3 serum level and pulmonary artery systolic pressure in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been evaluated by various biomarkers including matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3, but the relationship between the levels of biomarkers and elevation of pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PAs) has not been evaluated in detail. We sought to determine the utility of MMP-3 with other biomarkers for the prediction of PAs in patients with RA. Blood samples for biomarkers and echocardiography were obtained in 100 consecutive patients with RA. PAs was measured by continuous-wave Doppler echocardiography and was correlated with laboratory findings. PAs had a fair correlation with MMP-3 ( r = 0.53, p