SERUM TYPE III PROCOLLAGEN PEPTIDE CONCENTRATIONS IN SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS AND RAYNAUD'S PHENOMENON: RELATIONSHIP TO DISEASE ACTIVITY AND DURATION

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Abstract
Serum levels of the amino-terminal type III procollagen peptide (P-3-NP) have been used as an index of collagen synthesis. Systemic sclerosis (SS) is characterized by uncontrolled production of collagen of several types. This study aimed to explore the profile of P-3-NP in patients with SS and Raynaud's phenomenon, a common forerunner of the disease. Using a radioimmunoassay, the mean level for P-3-NP was found to be raised in SS compared with both the control (p>0.001) and Raynaud's groups (p>0.001). Analysis of serial samples from the patients with SS suggested that the P-3-NP level reflected changing clinical activity. Three groups emerged: a group with stable disease which showed a less than 20%change in P-3-NP level (mean 5.7%); a group with increasing activity which showed an increase of >20%(mean 35.8%) and a group of decreasing activity which showed a decrease of >20%(mean 33.6%). These data suggest that there is an increase in collagen metabolism in SS and that changes in P-3-NP levels may reflect the clinical course of the disease.