Evaluation of some trace elements and antioxidants in sera of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a case–control study

Introduction Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease that destroys joints. The concentrations of elements (Zn, Cu, Mg, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cr, K, Na, Ca, Pb, and Cd), as well as antioxidant glutathione GSH and lipid peroxidation marker malondialdehyde MDA, will be determined in this study. Method The study involves 120 female RA patients and 60 healthy females in the control group, all of whom are between the ages of 20 and 60. Patients having diabetes, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, or psoriasis, in addition to RA, were excluded. Results When RA patients were compared to healthy individuals, the levels of Cu, Ni, Na, Pb, and Cd were significantly higher ( p