The level of serum CXCL13 in pSS patients [(139±94) pg/ml]was significantly higher than that in healthy individuals [(36±20) pg/ml] ( t=5.838, P<0.01). The level of serum CXCL13 was positively cor-related with the proportion of B cells ( r=0.364, P=0.048), the level of serumIgG ( r=0.369, P=0.045), focus score ( r=0.592, P=0.001), ESSDAI ( r=0.415, P=0.023) and ESSPRI ( r=0.431, P=0.017). Meanwhile, it was negatively correlated with unstimulated salivary flow rate ( r=-0.381, P=0.038). There were 24 pSS patients with systemic involvement. The serum CXCL13 level of pSS patients with systemic involvement was signifi-cantly higher than that of patients without systemic involvement, and the difference was statistically significant ( Z=-2.256, P=0.024), but there was no significant correlation with the number of systemic involvement ( r=0.344, P=0.062).
Conclusion:
The level of serum CXCL13 is a useful index in estimating disease activity and gland destruction.