Serum Sclerostin as a Possible Biomarker in Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Case-Control Study

OBJECTIVE: Several molecules are involved in the pathogenesis of a new bone formation in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of sclerostin in patients with AS as a possible biomarker and to investigate any correlations with radiographic damage, disease activity, and function. METHODS: AS patients fulfilled the modified New York criteria, and healthy controls were enrolled for this study. BASDAI, ASDAS-CRP, BASMI, BASFI, patient and physician VAS, and C-reactive protein were evaluated at baseline visit. Spinal damage was assessed using the mSASSS on radiographs performed within 3 months from baseline. Serum concentrations of sclerostin were assessed at baseline and after four months of therapy in patients who started an anti-TNF. RESULTS: Twenty healthy subjects and 40 AS patients were enrolled in the study. In our group, serum sclerostin levels (median (25th–75th percentile)) were significantly higher in healthy controls (18.04 (13.6–24) pg/ml) than in AS patients (6.46 (4.5–11.1) pg/ml; P value < 0.01). However, no significant correlations were found between serum sclerostin levels and radiographic damage, assessed by mSASSS, and between serum sclerostin levels and clinical indices of activity and disability or with laboratory parameters. Sclerostin levels did not show significant changes after 4 months of anti-TNF therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study suggest a possible role of sclerostin in the identification of AS patients. Further studies are needed to prove the role of sclerostin as a disease activity biomarker and progression of disease in AS.