Clinical correlation of serum CXCL6 levels in patients with SSc. Statistical analysis was carried out with a Fisher’s exact probability test for the analysis of frequency. Values are median (interquartile range), n unless otherwise specified.
| Clinical Symptoms | Serum CXCL6 Levels, pg/ml | p | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patients with Symptoms | Patients without Symptoms | ||
| Interstitial lung disease | 93.9 (67.7–127.6), 33 | 73.8 (39.4–94.4), 25 | 0.044 |
| Esophageal dysfunction | 92.9 (64.3–111.6), 41 | 70.5 (39.4–111.1), 17 | 0.29 |
| Heart involvement | 101.1 (90.0–206.7), 12 | 76.4 (49.1–99.9), 46 | 0.0049 |
| Elevated RVSP | 100.6 (69.6–149.1), 17 | 82.2 (42.7–96.2), 40 | 0.029 |
| Raynaud phenomenon | 92.4 (64.8–123.7), 50 | 48.7 (80.1–21.2), 8 | 0.015 |
| Nailfold bleeding | 84.4 (62.2–100.6), 39 | 87.9 (26.1–149.3), 19 | 0.93 |
| DU/DPS | 101.3 (88.9–166.0), 24 | 68.2 (38.2–94.4), 33 | < 0.0001 |
| Telangiectasia | 94.7 (75.0–144.6), 30 | 65.6 (26.0–97.4), 26 | 0.0032 |
Interstitial lung disease was defined as the presence of ground-glass opacity and/or reticular pattern on high-resolution computed tomography. Esophageal dysfunction was defined as distal esophageal hypomotility on barium-contrast radiography. Heart involvement was defined as any of the following: symptomatic pericarditis, clinical evidence of left ventricular congestive heart failure, or arrhythmias requiring treatment. Elevated RVSP was defined as 35 mmHg or more on echocardiogram. DU are defined as a loss of epithelialization and tissues involving, in different degrees, the epidermis, the dermis, the subcutaneous tissue, and sometimes also involving the bone. DPS are defined as small-sized hyperkeratosis. RVSP: right ventricular systolic pressure; DU: digital ulcers; DPS: digital pitting scars.