1 Department of medical microbiology, Hammurabi College of medicine, University of Babylon, Al-Hillah, Babylon, Iraq.
2 Department of medical microbiology, College of medicine, University of Babylon, Al-Hillah, Babylon, Iraq.
3 Department of gynecology, Hammurabi College of medicine, University of Babylon, Al-Hillah, Babylon, Iraq.
4 Student in Hammurabi College of medicine, University of Babylon, Al-Hillah, Babylon, Iraq.
International Journal of Science and Research Archive, 2025, 16(02), 993-996
Article DOI: 10.30574/ijsra.2025.16.2.2423
Received on 10 July 2025; revised on 17 August 2025; accepted on 19 August 2025
Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder with multifactorial etiology. Hormonal factors and immune-modulating events, such as vaccination, may influence disease activity.
Objective: To evaluate the effect of COVID-19 vaccination and serum estrogen levels on RA severity in postmenopausal Iraqi females, with emphasis on inflammatory biomarkers and cytokine profiles.
Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 40 vaccinated RA patients and 44 age-matched healthy controls. Serum ESR, CRP, RF, IL-8, IL-10, and estrogen levels were measured using sandwich ELISA. Demographic characteristics and BMI were recorded. Statistical analysis examined correlations between these parameters and RA severity.
Results: RA patients demonstrated significantly higher ESR, CRP, RF, IL-8, and estrogen levels than controls (p < 0.05), with a positive correlation to disease severity. IL-10 levels were elevated but not statistically associated with severity (p = 0.1009). Postmenopausal RA patients had markedly elevated estrogen compared to expected physiological ranges.
Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccination and elevated estrogen levels are significantly associated with increased inflammatory markers and RA severity in postmenopausal Iraqi women. These findings suggest the need for closer post-vaccination monitoring in high-risk autoimmune populations.
Rheumatoid Arthritis; COVID-19 Vaccine; Estrogen; Cytokines; Postmenopausal Women; Iraq
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Mustafa Jawad Al-Imari, Zakariya Muayad Baqer, Nariman Abdulhassan Karbul and Haneen Mokhles Sabbar. Impact of COVID-19 Vaccination and Estrogen on the Severity of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Postmenopausal Iraqi Females. International Journal of Science and Research Archive, 2025, 16(02), 993-996. Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/ijsra.2025.16.2.2423.
