All the patients will be interviewed for demographic and clinical data (age, sex, occupation, age at onset of the disease, joints affected, extra-articular features, disease duration, family history and treatment regimen). • Assessment of medical and rheumatologic history.~Careful general and musculoskeletal examination.~Assessment of disease activity will be performed using the Disease Activity Score (DAS28) including 28 tender and swollen joint count, ESR and visual analogue scale.~X-ray both hands and feet~Larsen Score~Assessment of Body Mass Index (BMI)~Laboratory investigations:~Complete blood count (CBC) • Rheumatoid factor (RF) by latex method • Anti citrullinated protein antibodies ACPA by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) • 14-3-3 η (eta) protein by (ELISA) • Erythrocytic sedimentation rate (ESR) • Quantitative C-reactive protein (CRP) • fasting blood glucose • lipid profile • Carotid Doppler ultrasound (for measurement of carotid intima media thickness and detection of plaques) • ECG
The aims of this study are: • To assess 14-3-3 η (eta) protein antibodies in the serum of rheumatoid arthritis patients and its relation to disease activity and severity. • To investigate the role of 14-3-3 η (eta) protein in the diagnosis or assessment of subclinical carotid artery atherosclerosis.