CXCL4 in undifferentiated connective tissue disease at risk for systemic sclerosis (SSc) (previously referred to as very early SSc)

Clin Exp Med. 2017 Aug;17(3):411-414. doi: 10.1007/s10238-016-0437-y. Epub 2016 Sep 20.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate CXCL4 levels in undifferentiated connective tissue disease at risk for SSc (UCTD-SSc-risk) and confirm its increase and investigate its prognostic value. Serum CXCL4 levels were measured in 45 patients and 24 controls. CXCL4 was significantly higher in UCTD-SSc-risk patients than in controls. It resulted higher in patients with a shorter disease duration and in those lacking capillaroscopic alterations. We confirm that CXCL4 levels are increased in UCTD-risk-SSc patients. Further studies are needed to investigate the role of CXCL4 assessment in UCTD-risk-SSc.

Keywords: Systemic sclerosis; Undifferentiated connective tissue disease.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Platelet Factor 4 / blood*
  • Prognosis
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / diagnosis*
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / pathology*
  • Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Diseases / complications*
  • Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Diseases / diagnosis
  • Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Diseases / pathology*

Substances

  • Platelet Factor 4