RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Serum amyloid A protein concentration in progressive systemic sclerosis (scleroderma).
JF Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
JO Ann Rheum Dis
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and European League Against Rheumatism
SP 586
OP 589
DO 10.1136/ard.43.4.586
VO 43
IS 4
A1 Brandwein, S R
A1 Medsger, T A
A1 Skinner, M
A1 Sipe, J D
A1 Rodnan, G P
A1 Cohen, A S
YR 1984
UL http://ard.bmj.com/content/43/4/586.abstract
AB Serum amyloid A protein (SAA) concentrations were determined in 62 patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS). Forty-seven patients had normal or slightly elevated SAA levels (less than 1000 ng/ml = micrograms/l), while 15 patients had moderately to markedly elevated SAA levels, similar to those observed in active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (greater than or equal to 1000 ng/ml = micrograms/l). Five patients with PSS had SAA levels corresponding to those observed in amyloidosis secondary to RA. High SAA was associated with more severe skin thickening and diminished cumulative survival at five years. The rarity of amyloidosis secondary to PSS is unlikely to be related to an intrinsic defect in SAA production.