"SIGNIFICANCE OF EXTRACELLULAR BIOCHEMICAL MARKERS IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AND THEIR IMPACT ON LIVER FUNCTION"

Abstract

This study focused on evaluating the role of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) in the progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its potential impact on liver function. Sixty patients, split into a main group and a control group, wore analysed through a combination of clinical, laboratory, and imaging assessments. Elevated MMP-9 levels were found to be associated with more severe disease progression, including higher rates of hypertension, stroke, and ischaemic heart disease in the main group. These findings suggest that MMP-9 could serve as a valuable biomarkcr for predicting RA severity and liver pathology. The study recommends early detection and continuous monitoring of MMP-9 to guide treatment strategics. Future research should further investigate MMP-9’s role in RA-rclated liver dysfunction and explore the development of therapies aimed at modulating MMP-9 levels to improve patient outcomes.