Serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate levels and laboratory and clinical parameters indicating expression of disease are not associated with fatigue, well-being and functioning in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome

CER4029
2011 Vol.29, N°2
PI 0318, PF 0321
Brief Papers

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PMID: 21504661 [PubMed]

Received: 30/07/2010
Accepted : 15/12/2010
In Press: 19/04/2011
Published: 19/04/2011

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:
The aim of this study was to compare serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) levels and clinical and laboratory parameters reflecting expression of disease between female patients with primary Sjögren`s syndrome (pSS) and age-matched healthy women and to examine in pSS patients the correlation of these variables with fatigue, well-being, and functioning.
METHODS:
Comparisons were made between 60 female pSS patients and 60 age-matched healthy women. We assessed questionnaire scores of general fatigue, depressed mood, mental wellbeing, and physical functioning, tear production (Schirmer I test), tender point counts, serum DHEAS level, haemoglobin concentration, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and serum immunoglobulin G.
RESULTS:
As compared to healthy participants, patients had more fatigue and depressed mood, reduced well-being and functioning, more dryness and pain, lower serum DHEAS levels, and more expression of disease as reflected by laboratory assessments (p≤0.001). In pSS patients, fatigue, well-being, and functioning correlated with tender point counts, but not with the extent of dryness and also not with laboratory assessments including serum DHEAS levels.
CONCLUSIONS:
The high prevalence of fatigue and reduced functioning in pSS patients might suggest a mediating role of generalised autoimmune processes. In the present study, clinical observations and laboratory assessments are not correlated with persistent fatigue and reduced functioning. Our results suggest that treatment of fatigue, well-being, and functioning, should target other variables than those examined in this study, preferably psychological variables or perhaps specific immunologic parameters.