Role of Interleukin-17 in Predicting Activity of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Background: Although high serum levels of interleukin (IL)-17 and its producing cells have been found in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in earlier research, it is still unclear how these findings relate to disease activity.

Objectives: This study examines the link between serum levels of IL-17 and the activity of both RA and SLE.

Design: This pilot case-control study included 100 patients with RA, 100 with SLE, and 100 healthy controls.