Serum levels of soluble CD44 in primary Sjogren's syndrome

Objective. To determine whether elevated soluble CD44 (sCD44) levels serve as a marker of inflammation and lymphoproliferation in primary Sjogren's sy ndrome (SS). Methods. We measured sCD44 levels by ELISA in serum samples from a cross se ction of healthy individuals and patients seen in a rheumatology clinic for evaluation of possible primary SS. Results, Median serum levels of sCD44 were significantly higher in 48 healt hy men compared to 52 healthy women (16 vs 12 nmol/l; p = 0.0034). There wa s no relationship between serum levels of sCD44 and age or ethnic backgroun d. Slightly higher median levels of sCD44 were found in the serum of 37 wom en with primary SS compared to healthy women (14 vs 12 nmol/l; p = 0.0402). However, these levels were comparable to those of 33 female patients witho ut primary SS who were seen in the same clinic (p = 0.1233). Conclusion. Serum levels of sCD44 were slightly higher in female patients w ith primary SS compared to healthy women, but they are not likely to discri minate between patients with and without primary SS in a rheumatology pract ice.