Background:

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that is mainly characterized by joint deterioration and decreased bone mineral density. The Dickkopf 1 protein (DKK1) exerts a negative regulatory function of the Wnt pathway involved in the differentiation of osteoblasts, and has been observed to be overexpressed in patients with RA.

Objective:

To provide updated information on current knowledge about the relationship between DKK1 serum levels and the presence of bone and joint damage in RA patients.

Method:

A qualitative systematic review was carried out in the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane and Scielo databases using the terms Dickkopf 1, DKK1, Dickkopf related protein 1, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Bone biomarker.

Results:

A total of 12 studies were chosen that met the requirements of the search. These included 7 prospective cohorts, 4 cross-sectional studies, and 1 clinical trial. Of the 12 studies reviewed, 10 analyzed the relationship between serum DKK1 levels and the presence of bone damage as the primary outcome. One of them analyzed this relationship as a secondary outcome and another one the RSP01/DKK1 ratio. The results to date seem to indicate that DKK1 could have an active role in advanced stages of RA, but not in the initial phase.

Conclusions:

The DKK1 protein plays an essential pathophysiological role in the decrease of bone mass and joint remodelling, depending on the stage of the disease in patients with RA. Its role as a biomarker or therapeutic strategy would be an interesting alternative still under study.

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