Value of Serum Asymmetric Dimethylarginine (ADMA) As a Novel Biomarker for Uveitis in Behçet’s Disease

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To evaluate the serum asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) level as a biomarker for uveitis in Behçet’s Disease (BD).

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, two groups of BD patients were examined: 33 with uveitis and 27 without uveitis. All patients were clinically evaluated, with disease activity measured by Behçet’s Disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF) score. They also underwent thorough ophthalmic evaluation, and routine laboratory investigations, including serum ADMA.

Results

Patients with BD who experienced active or inactive uveitis had higher levels of serum ADMA compared to those without uveitis. Anterior (ρ = 0.34, p < 0.01), posterior (ρ = 0.3, p < 0.05), and pan uveitis (ρ = 0.35, p < 0.01) were significantly correlated with serum ADMA levels. However, there was no significant correlation between ADMA and other BD manifestations. ROC curve analysis showed that increased serum ADMA levels in BD patients predicted uveitis with a sensitivity of 61.8%, specificity of 96.2%, and AUC of 0.78(95% CI: 0.66–0.9, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Serum ADMA level can serve as a novel biomarker of uveitis in BD and its severity with good diagnostic accuracy, regardless of its site or activity.

KEYWORDS:

• ADMA
• asymmetric dimethylarginine
• Behçet disease
• uveitis

Author contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection was performed by Omima A. Sayed, ophthalmic evaluation was performed by Abdallah MM Safwat, laboratory evaluation by Mostafa Ahmed Abu Elela, statistical analysis was performed by Omima A. Sayed, Rasha Ali Abdel-Magied and Ahmed M. Abdel-Nasser. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Omima A. Sayed. Rasha Ali Abdel-Magied and Ahmed M. Abdel-Nasser reviewed and edited the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Ethical considerations

The nature of the study was clarified to all patients. Laboratory investigations are standard of care and do not pose ethical concerns. The Faculty of Medicine, Research Ethics Committee “FMREC” approved the study protocol (Approval Number 636–6/2020), and all participants gave their informed consent.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.