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Serum cytokine levels related to multiple dimensions of fatigue in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome

¹ Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
² Department of Health Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
³ Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr R H W M Derksen
Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Huispostnummer F02.127, Postbus 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands; R.H.W.M.Derksen{at}azu.nl

ABSTRACT
Objective: To test whether serum levels of selected cytokines relate to different dimensions of fatigue in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS).

Methods: Sixty female patients with pSS filled out a questionnaire to assess multiple dimensions of fatigue. Scores were compared with values in a population based control group (n = 139). Levels of interleukin (IL)1ß, IL2, IL6, IL10, and tumour necrosis factor were measured in serum with commercial sandwich ELISAs. The relationship between self reported dimensions of fatigue and these serum cytokine levels was determined.

Results: Patients with pSS had high scores at all dimensions of fatigue (p<0.001): general fatigue, physical fatigue, reduced activity, reduced motivation, and mental fatigue. Fatigue levels were not related to serum cytokine levels. The incidental finding that reduced motivation was higher in patients with detectable serum levels of IL10 (p = 0.04) disappeared after correction for multiple testing.

Conclusion: Fatigue is prominent in patients with pSS and involves all dimensions of fatigue. The findings do not suggest a widespread effect of circulating cytokines on multiple aspects of fatigue.

Abbreviations: DHEA, dehydroepiandrosterone; ELISA, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; IL, interleukin; MFI, Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory; pSS, primary Sjögren’s syndrome; TNF, tumour necrosis factor

Keywords: primary Sjögren’s syndrome; serum cytokines; fatigue; quality of life

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A Hartkamp, R Geenen, G L R Godaert, H Bootsma, A A Kruize, J W J Bijlsma, and R H W M Derksen Effect of dehydroepiandrosterone administration on fatigue, well-being, and functioning in women with primary Sjogren syndrome: a randomised controlled trial Ann Rheum Dis, January 1, 2008; 67(1): 91 - 97. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]