[Clinical significance of Willebrand's factor antigen in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome].

Concentration of von Willebrand's factor antigen (WFAg) was measured by solid phase enzyme immunoassay in the blood serum of 17 female patients (mean age 56.7 +/- 12.1 years) with primary Sjogren's syndrome (PSS) lasting, on the average, 4.1 +/- 1.5 years. Mean WFAg level in patients with PSS was equal to 2.56 +/- 1.4 IU/ml and exceeded significantly that of donors' (1.06 +/- 0.34, p < 0.001). In 9(53%) of 17 patients WFAg concentration was higher than normal (> 2.1 IU/ml). WFAg mean levels and frequency of its elevation did not differ significantly in patients with chronic parotitis, enlarged salivary glands, arthralgia/arthritis, lymphadenopathy, lung lesions, polyneuropathy and patients free of the above symptoms. In patients with myalgia, Raynaud's syndrome, skin vasculitis and vascular diseases WFAg concentrations were higher than in patients without them. There was no significant correlation between WFAg level and ESR, concentration of C-reactive protein, presence of rheumatoid and antinuclear factors.