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Study: No clear markers drive fatigue in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome

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A study of patients with Sjögren’s syndrome revealed no clear markers, such as the presence of certain cytokines or chemokines, for fatigue experienced by patients, according to study data presented recently.

A multi-center, prospective cohort of 395 patients with Sjögren’s syndrome was conducted. Disease activity and patient-related outcomes were assessed at baseline and at each year of follow-up. The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Sjögren’s syndrome disease activity (ESSDAI) and the EULAR Patient-Reported Index (ESSPRI) for fatigue, pain and dryness were used to evaluate systemic disease activity. Questionnaires, including the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale, were administered, and serum markers of B cell activation, including BAFF, interferon, interferon-inducible chemokines and interleukin (IL)-21, were measured.

The median fatigue VAS score was 6, and the researchers found fatigue was correlated with dryness and pain, but not with age, disease duration, ESSDAI, unstimulated salivary flow or Schirmer’s test.

Patients with depression had significantly higher fatigue scores (median: 7) than patients without depression. A high fatigue VAS (5 or greater) was not associated with interferon-inducible chemokines, B cell activating cytokines, such as BAFF or IL-21, or with markers of B cell activation, such as immunoglobulin levels or presence of rheumatoid factor.

“Even when focusing on patients without depression, no association was observed between fatigue and systemic disease activity, autoantibody profile, serum surrogate markers of the interferon signature and of B cell activation,” the researchers wrote. “Further work is necessary to determine the existence of potential other immunological drivers.” – by Shirley Pulawski

Reference:

Gottenberg JE, et al. Paper #SAT0379. Presented at: European League Against Rheumatism Annual European Congress of Rheumatology; June 10-13, 2015; Rome.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.