Serum galectin-3 concentrations in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Objective: The aim of our study was to assess potential correlations between serum galectin-3 concentrations and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity (ASDAS) index in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Methods: A total of 112 patients with AS were included, and 130 healthy subjects were considered as controls. We collected the detailed medical history, and ASDAS index was used to assess the disease severity in patients with AS.

Results: The serum galectin concentrations were higher in AS patients compared to the health groups (14.1 ± 9.6 vs 9.2 ± 3.7, P < 0.001). The correlation analysis showed that serum galectin concentrations were significantly positively correlated with C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r = 0.369, P < 0.001; r = 0.240, P = 0.011). In addition, the positively correlation of serum galectin-3 with global pain index (r = 0.238, P = 0.011) was observed in AS patients. A significant positively correlation between serum galectin and ASDAS index in AS patients was found (r = 0.367; P < 0.001). In multiple linear regression analysis, the results indicated that increased serum galectin still was correlated with ASDAS index (r = 0.322, P < 0.001) in patients with AS.

Conclusions: Serum galectin concentrations were found to be correlated with ASDAS index in patients with AS.