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Assessment of blood clot formation and platelet receptor function ex vivo in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Karthik Balasubramaniam, Dr Girish Viswanathan, Andini Natasari, Jessica Tarn, Dr Dennis LendremORCiD, Sheryl Mitchell, Professor Azfar Zaman, Professor Fai NgORCiD

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Abstract

Objectives: Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) shares clinical features and pathogenetic mechanisms with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SLE is associated with an increased thromboembolic risk; however, it is unclear whether pSS patients are susceptible to thromboembolic diseases. In this study, we examined ex vivo blood clot formation (clot strength, rates of clot formation and lysis) in pSS using thromboelastography (TEG) and platelet aggregation to common agonists using multiple electrode aggregometry (MEA). We also investigated the relationship between TEG/MEA parameters and clinical/laboratory features of pSS. Design: Case control. Setting: Secondary care, single centre. Participants: 34 pSS patients, 11 SLE patients and 13 healthy volunteers (all women) entered and completed the study. Primary and secondary outcome measures: Primary outcomes: TEG and MEA parameters between three subject groups. Secondary outcomes: The relationships between TEG/MEA and clinical/laboratory parameters analysed using bivariate correlation analysis with corrections for multiple testing. Results: All TEG and MEA parameters were similar for the three subject groups. After corrections for multiple testing, interleukin (IL)-1α and Macrophage inflammatory proteins (MIP)-1α remain correlated inversely with clot strength (r=−0.686, p=0.024 and r=−0.730, p=0.012, respectively) and overall coagulability (r=−0.640, p=0.048 and r=−0.648, p=0.048). Stepwise regression analysis revealed that several cytokines such as MIP-1α, IL-17a, IL-1α and Interferon (IFN)-γ may be key predictors of clot strength and overall coagulability in pSS. Conclusions: Clot kinetics and platelet receptor function are normal in pSS. Several cytokines correlate with clot strength and overall coagulability in pSS.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Collins K, Balasubramaniam K, Viswanathan G, Natasari A, Tarn J, Lendrem D, Mitchell S, Zaman A, Ng W-F

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: BMJ Open

Year: 2013

Volume: 3

Issue: 5

Print publication date: 23/05/2013

Date deposited: 05/06/2013

ISSN (print): 0959-535X

ISSN (electronic): 2044-6055

Publisher: BMJ Group

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2013-002739

DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-002739


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Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
Graham and Jenny Watson Bursary
G0800629Medical Research Council, UK

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