Value of Superb Microvascular Imaging Combined with Serum IL-17,MMP-9, andPTX3 in Assessing Disease Activity of Takayasu's Arteritis

doi:10.3870/j.issn.1672-0741.25.09.044

Abstract

Abstract: Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of superb microvascular imaging(SMI)combined with serum interleukin-17(IL-17),matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9),and pentraxin-3(PTX3)in assessing disease activity of Takayasu's arteritis(TA). Methods A total of 52 TA patients treated at our hospital between April 2020 and November 2024 were enrolled,including 29 with active disease and 23 with inactive disease.Clinical data were compared between the two groups.Vascular assessments of thickened arterial walls were performed by the Toshiba Aplio 500 color Doppler ultrasound system.Serum levels of IL-17,MMP-9,and PTX3 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.SMI grades and serum biomarker levels were compared between the active and inactive groups.Spearman's rank correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between SMI grade and serum IL-17,MMP-9,and PTX3 levels.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was performed to evaluate the individual and combined value of SMI grade and serum biomarkers for disease activity of TA patients. Results No significant differences were observed between the active and inactive groups in terms of age,sex composition,body mass index(BMI),disease duration,clinical symptoms,or carotid artery involvement(all P>0.05).Compared with the inactive group,the active group exhibited significantly higher levels of serum IL-17,MMP-9,and PTX3,as well as a distinct distribution of SMI grade(all P<0.05).Spearman's analysis showed that SMI grade was positively correlated with IL-17,MMP-9,and PTX3 levels(r=0.418,0.502,0.459,all P<0.01).ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC)for SMI grade,serum IL-17,MMP-9,and PTX3 in assessing the disease activity was 0.849,0.723,0.835,and 0.817,respectively.The combined assessment of all four indicators yielded an AUC of 0.949,which was significantly higher than that of any single indicator(Z=2.044,P=0.041;Z=3.061,P=0.002;Z=2.050,P=0.040;Z=2.446,P=0.014),with a sensitivity of 86.21% and specificity of 91.30%. Conclusion SMI grading,alone or combined with serum IL-17,MMP-9,and PTX3,is useful for evaluating disease activity of TA,with enhanced diagnostic performance when used together.

Key words: superb microvascular imaging, Takayasu's arteritis, interleukin-17, matrix metalloproteinase-9, pentraxin-3

CLC Number:

Chen Min, Niu Huimin, Liu Xin et al. Value of Superb Microvascular Imaging Combined with Serum IL-17,MMP-9, andPTX3 in Assessing Disease Activity of Takayasu's Arteritis[J]. Acta Medicinae Universitatis Scientiae et Technologiae Huazhong, 2026, 55(2): 258-262.

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