Study on the chemokine CXCL10 in serum for its value in GCA-PMR spectrum disease stratification

To investigate the value of chemokine CXCL10 in clinical stratification across the spectrum of diseases encompassing giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).

A total of eight newly diagnosed GCA patients (active GCA group), nine treated and remitted GCA patients (remission GCA group), 40 newly diagnosed PMR patients (active PMR group), 37 PMR patients in remission, and 31 healthy individuals undergoing physical examinations (healthy control group) were selected. Serum CXCL10 levels were measured using ELISA. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the role of CXCL10 in differential diagnosis and clinical stratification within the GCA-PMR spectrum disease.

Serum CXCL10 levels in the active GCA group were significantly higher than in the healthy control group (Z =  - 3.826, P < 0.001) and the active PMR group (Z =  - 3.071, P = 0.001). Serum CXCL10 levels in the GCA remission group were significantly higher than in the healthy control group (Z =  - 3.806, P < 0.001) and the PMR remission group (Z =  - 3.918, P < 0.001). The ROC curve analysis indicates that CXCL10 is valuable for differential diagnosis between active GCA and PMR (AUC = 0.847, sensitivity = 0.7, specificity = 1, cut-off value = 51.87), as well as between remission-phase GCA and PMR (AUC = 0.925, sensitivity = 0.838, specificity = 1, cut-off value = 45.17).

The chemokine CXCL10 may be involved in the pathogenesis of GCA and helps distinguish between clinical stratification of GCA and PMR within GPSD. Key Points • The concentrations of CXCL10 was higher in peripheral blood of GCA patients. • The level of CXCL10 might contribute to the stratification of GCA-PMR spectrum disease.