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Clinical value of measuring soluble interleukin-2 receptor in polymyalgia rheumatica
M Gripenberg1, P Franzén, B Fröseth
1Mjölbolsta Hospital, Finland.
Abstract:
Serum levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) were measured in 15 patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and followed prospectively for 11.5 months (range 2-22) and also in 22 patients with PMR treated with corticosteroids for a mean period of 47 months. The controls consisted of 21 patients in the same age range as the PMR patients, admitted to the hospital for various diseases, and of 40 healthy younger subjects. The initial sIL-2R values in the patients with newly diagnosed, untreated PMR were significantly higher than the values seen in the same patients after corticosteroid treatment for a median of 6 months and in PMR patients on corticosteroid treatment for more than a year (p < 0.005 and p < 0.05, respectively). However, while being significantly higher than the values in the normal controls, the sIL-2R values in PMR did not differ from the values seen in the hospital controls. Thus, this assay seems to be of little clinical value in the management of patients with PMR.
Insights
Serum levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) were elevated in new polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) patients but not significantly different from hospital controls. This suggests sIL-2R may have limited clinical utility in managing PMR.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
- Biomarker Research
Background:
- Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory condition affecting older adults.
- Soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) is a marker associated with immune system activation.
- The diagnostic and management utility of sIL-2R in PMR requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate serum sIL-2R levels in patients with newly diagnosed, untreated PMR.
- To assess the changes in sIL-2R levels after corticosteroid treatment in PMR patients.
- To compare sIL-2R levels in PMR patients with healthy and hospital-based control groups.
Main Methods:
- Prospective measurement of serum sIL-2R in 15 newly diagnosed PMR patients.
- Follow-up measurements after corticosteroid treatment (median 6 months and >1 year).
- Comparison of sIL-2R levels with 21 age-matched hospital controls and 40 healthy younger controls.
Main Results:
- Initial sIL-2R levels in untreated PMR patients were significantly higher than after treatment (p < 0.005 and p < 0.05).
- PMR patients' sIL-2R levels were significantly higher than healthy controls.
- However, sIL-2R levels in PMR patients did not differ from hospital controls.
Conclusions:
- Serum sIL-2R levels decrease with corticosteroid treatment in PMR.
- The lack of significant difference between PMR and hospital controls suggests limited specificity.
- The sIL-2R assay appears to have minimal clinical value for managing PMR patients.