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Background and Aim Behçet disease (BD) is a rare chronic relapsing-remitting inflammatory systemic vasculitis. BD patients were reported to have marked acceleration of subclinical atherosclerosis (SCA). Endocan is a soluble proteoglycan mainly secreted by the activated endothelium. The present study aimed to assess the relation between serum endocan levels and SCA in BD patients. Subjects and Methods The study included 40 adult BD patients in addition to twenty age- and sex-matched healthy controls. BD was diagnosed according to International Study Group criteria. Upon recruitment, all participants were subjected to careful history taking and thorough clinical examination. BD activity was assessed using Behçet Syndrome Activity Score. Measurement of serum endocan was performed using quantitative double-antibody sandwich ELISA kit. CIMT measurement was done using B-mode ultrasound. Results Comparison between patients and controls regarding serum endocan levels revealed significantly higher endocan levels in BD patients [median (IQR): 155.0 (69.3–610.0) versus 73.8 (51.9–94.6)]. Using ultrasound assessment, SCA was found in 14 BD patients (35.0%). Comparison between patients with SCA and patients without regarding the clinical and laboratory data revealed that the former group had significantly higher CRP [median (IQR): 36.5 (26.8–43.5) versus 21.0 (11.8–26.8) mg/dL, p < 0.001] and endocan [median (IQR): 622.0 (107.4–974.8) versus 104.5 (64.0–342.0) mg/dL, p = 0.004] levels. Logistic regression analysis recognized endocan [OR (95% CI): 1.0 (1.0–1.012), p0.035] levels as significant predictor of SCA in multivariate analysis. Conclusion The present study identified the clinical value of serum endocan levels as a possible early marker of vascular involvement in BD patients.

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Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are the most common inflammatory disorders of the musculoskeletal system which are defined by articular cartilage degradation and impairment of joint. When criteria and radiography are insufficient to diagnose early-stages of RA and OA to control disease course, biomarkers become necessary to early diagnosis these diseases.Objective: We searched the levels of (MMP3) and (HP) in the blood of early RA and OA patients in order to see if they can be utilized to distinguish the two diseases at an early stage.Patients and Methods: We recruited 1) forty patients who were diagnosed with early knee osteoarthritis using EULAR and Kellgren-Lawrence radiographic grading criteria, 2) forty patients with early RA (disease duration less than three years), and 3) forty control group consisted of normal volunteers who were age and sex matched. All subjects underwent a thorough medical history, clinical musculoskeletal examination, and laboratory tests, including the determination of blood MMP3 and HP. We did also a simple x-ray of their hands and knee joints.Results: Comparing groups, we found a highly significant increase in serum MMP3 in OA patients than RA patients and control groups. MMP3 was also significantly higher in RA patients than in the control group. While, OA patients had significantly higher HP than RA patients and control groups, whereas RA patients and control groups had no significant difference in HP.Conclusion: Hydroxyproline rather than MMP3 may be employed as a potential biomarker for early differentiation between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.