The Faculty of Pharmacy discussed the master’s thesis entitled “Effects of Methotrexate and Etanercept Therapy on Bone Biomarkers in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients” by Iman Obead Abdullah, in the Clinical Pharmacy Department. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of methotrexate and Etanercept on bone biomarkers in rheumatoid arthritis patients, including Osteoprogestin (OPG), osteocalcin (OCN), tartrate-resistant 5B-phosphate (TRACP5B), and nucleolar activator receptor (RANK).In addition, this study aims to assess the effects of some socio-demographic and pathological factors on the level of these vital indicators. The thesis included a study of the impact and follow-up of patients with rheumatoid arthritis who were treated with the drugs methotrexate or etanercept for a period of three months, and then measuring the bone biomarkers before and after a specific period from the date of starting treatment, as well as evaluating the impact of some sociodemographic factors on the levels of the mentioned biomarkers. Patients treated with methotrexate showed significant improvement in the nuclear receptor-κB ligand, osteocalcin, and osteoprotegerin, while those treated with etanercept showed significant improvement in levels of all biomarkers at the end of the study. Levels of nuclear receptor-κB activator are positively affected by family history, age, duration, and gender, as female patients have higher levels than males. Age and duration of illness adversely affect osteoprotegerin levels. Osteocalcin is significantly and negatively affected by age, duration, and gender. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphate 5B increased significantly among patients with a family history of the disease, age, duration, and female sex.In addition, the results showed a significant improvement in the ratio of nuclear activator kB to the ratio of osteoprogestin after treatment. The group of rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with etanercept had significantly higher levels of nuclear receptor-κB to osteoprotegerin (OSPR) ratio significantly higher than patients treated with methotrexate after three months of treatment.
