Abstract
In 44 consecutive patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), plasma concentrations of von Willebrand factor (vWf) were higher than those of the vWf propeptide, but the propeptide showed less variability within patient subgroups. Higher values of the propeptide were observed in patients with early pulmonary involvement. A closer correlation of the propeptide than of vWf to biochemical markers of activity was also evident. Our results suggest that the propeptide, despite a shorter circulating half-time and lower plasma concentrations than vWf, is more useful in the assessment of disease activity in SSc.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Aged
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Biomarkers / blood
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Female
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Humans
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Lung / physiopathology
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Peptide Fragments / blood
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Procollagen / blood
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Protein Precursors* / blood
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Respiratory Function Tests
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Scleroderma, Localized / blood
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Scleroderma, Localized / diagnosis*
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Scleroderma, Localized / physiopathology
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Scleroderma, Systemic / blood*
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Scleroderma, Systemic / diagnosis*
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Scleroderma, Systemic / physiopathology
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von Willebrand Factor* / analysis
Substances
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Biomarkers
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Peptide Fragments
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Procollagen
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Protein Precursors
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procollagen Type III-N-terminal peptide
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von Willebrand Factor
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von Willebrand factor propolypeptide