In patients with rheumatoid arthritis the serum profile of transferrin isoforms is altered. We predict that the levels of trisialylated isoforms of transferrin will serve as a useful biochemical marker of the rheumatoid arthritis activity.

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Aim of the studyThe aim of the study was to evaluate the effect and severity of liver diseases of different etiologies on the values of three non-invasive fibrosis markers.Material and methodsSerum samples from 65 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis, 31 with non-alcoholic cirrhosis and 32 with toxic hepatitis, were tested. Cirrhotic patients were classified according to the Child-Pugh scale. The age-platelet (AP) index, HUI score and Fibro Q index were calculated using the specific formulas.ResultsThe values of all tested scores were significantly higher in controls than in patients with liver diseases and were significantly different between liver diseases. The patients with alcoholic and non-alcoholic cirrhosis had higher values of the AP index, HUI score and Fibro Q index than patients with toxic hepatitis. HUI and Fibro Q scores appeared to vary according to the severity of liver damage and were higher in Child-Pugh class C than in classes A and B.ConclusionsWe conclude that all tested scores based on liver function tests are good markers for non-invasive diagnosis of liver damage. Additionally, HUI and Fibro Q scores reflect the severity of liver cirrhosis.