CD82 Methylation Patterns in Inflammatory Arthritis and their Clinical Association with Hypertension in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: This study aimed to compare CD82 methylation patterns in peripheral blood among patients with rheumatoid arthritis [RA], inflammatory arthritis, and healthy controls [HC] and to assess their clinical associations with hypertension in RA.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, CD82 methylation at positions 44596705- 44596865 on chromosome 11 was analyzed using targeted methylation techniques in peripheral blood from patients with RA, psoriatic arthritis [PsA], ankylosing spondylitis [AS], gout, and HC.

Results: CD82 cg22143324 methylation levels were significantly different between RA patients and healthy controls [P<0.0001], PsA [P=0.0281], and AS [P=0.0360]. In RA subgroups, individuals negative for both rheumatoid factor [RF] and cyclic citrullinated peptide [CCP] [RA-DN], as well as those positive for both [RA-DP], exhibited significantly different methylation levels compared to HC [P=0.0355 and P<0.0001, respectively]. ROC analysis indicated a promising diagnostic potential for CD82 cg22143324 methylation, especially with the TTT haplotype. Correlation analysis revealed significant associations between CD82 methylation and CCP levels, as well as hypertension in RA patients.

Conclusion: The analysis conducted revealed altered CD82 cg22143324 methylation in RA, with potential utility in distinguishing seronegative patients from healthy controls. An association between lower methylation levels and comorbid hypertension in RA patients was also observed, warranting further investigation.