Objective This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between perceived work-related stress and preclinical atherosclerosis. Methods A total of 100 managers and 50 oYce workers aged 35-65 participated in a questionnaire study. Individual, family and work-related stress risk factors and coping were evaluated in all the studied individuals. Serum levels of biochemical (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, TG, glucose) and serological risk factors of atherosclerosis (anticardiolipin, anti-2 GPI, anti-oxLDL, anti-HSP and anti-hsCRP antibodies) were evaluated. A computer analysis of B-mode ultrasound images was used to assess carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and atherosclerotic plaque in carotid arteries. Statistical analysis was conducted with SPSS v. 11.5. Results The studied individuals showed average ranges of both the global stress level and of coping results. In 71% no changes were found in the ultrasound image and in 29% of individuals (43) the presence of plaque was shown. The mean value of the IMT measure was 0.0618 § 0.013 mm. IMT and plaque correlated negatively with the level of global work-related stress (r = ¡0.26; P < 0.01; and r = ¡0.28; P < 0.01; respectively). No correlation was found either between work-related stress and coping, or between coping and IMT (P > 0.05), or between workrelated stress and healthy lifestyle (no smoking, no excessive use of alcohol, high physical activity), or between healthy lifestyle and IMT (P > 0.05). Positive correlation between IMT and LDL and smoking did not result from higher stress reaction in the studied individuals. Conclusions The explanation of the negative correlation between perceived work-related stress and preclinical atherosclerosis was not conWrmed either by the subjects under high stress undertaking healthy protective activities or by their escaping into unhealthy behaviour. The most probable interpretation of the results is that in individuals with a low level of perceived work-related stress, somatization of stress takes place.

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ObjectivesOur study analyses the prevalence of ANA, anti-SS-A, anti-SS-B, and ACA and ACPA antibodies in patients with pSS and with dryness symptoms without pSS confirmation, and the association of ACPA and ACA antibodies with specific clinical symptoms.Materials and methods113 patients were divided into two groups: I – with diagnosed pSS (N = 75); and II – with dryness without pSS evidence (N = 38). Diagnostics: indirect immunofluorescence (IF; Hep-2 cell line) of antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-SS-A anti-SS-B antibodies determined with semi-quantitative method, autoantibody profile (14 antigens, ANA Profil 3 EUROLINE); basic laboratory, ophthalmic examination tests, minor salivary gland biopsy with focus score (FS), joint and lung evaluation, and ESSDAI questionnaire (pSS activity).Results88% of group I had ANA antibodies (1 : 320 titre), 5.3% at 1 : 160. Anti-SS-A antibodies were present in 88% of group I, including all ANA 1 : 160. Anti-SS-A antibodies positively correlated with greater and moderate activity of ESSDAI 5 (p = 0.046) and FS. The presence of SS-B antibodies significantly affected disease activity. ACPA present: group I – 13% (associated with higher arthritis incidence; p = 0.003); group II – 8%. ACA antibodies present in 4% of group I, but not in group II. No ACA association with interstitial lung changes (small ACA + group excludes full conclusions).ConclusionsANA antibodies should also be considered in a titre of less than 1 : 320, but the presence of anti-SS-A antibodies is still the most important immunological marker for pSS. Anti-SS-A antibodies correlate with higher disease activity (ESSDAI ≥ 5) and higher FS. The presence of the anti-SS-B antibody was significantly affected by higher activity of the disease. The incidence of arthritis was higher in patients with ACPA+ pSS compared to ACPA– (p = 0.003). There was no relationship between ACPA and arthritis in patients with dry-type syndrome without diagnosis of pSS.

Immunoglobulin IgG4 plays a role in the pathogenesis of the Mikulicz disease previously considered a form of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). We investigated serum levels of IgG4, total IgG, C3, and C4 serum complementary components in patients suspected of Sjögren's syndrome. Basic laboratory and immunological tests, including IgG4 and IgG concentration, were performed on 20 healthy and 68 suspected of pSS individuals. We distinguished: group I: 48 pSS patients; group II (sicca): 20 patients with dryness without pSS. We revealed: statistical differences between groups I and II concerning hypergammaglobulinemia, ESR, RF, ANA, Ro, and La antibodies; lower IgG4 levels and IgG4/IgG ratio in group I compared to healthy individuals (p < 0.0435; 0.0035, respectively); no significant differences in the concentrations of IgG4 and IgG4/IgG ratio between sicca and control groups. significantly lower (p < 0.0002) C4 levels in group I compared to other groups; significant differences in C4 concentration and IgG4/IgG ratio between three groups (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.0090, respectively); a weak negative correlation between C4 and IgG (r =− 0.274) in the whole database; weak positive correlation between C4 and IgG4/IgG ratio (r = 0.237); a negative correlation of IgG4, IgG4/Ig ratio and C4 with focus score (r = − 0.281; r = − 0.327; r = − 0.406, respectively). IgG4 serum levels were significantly decreased compared to healthy subjects. IgG4 and C4 levels correlated with infiltrations in minor salivary glands. Hypergammaglobulinemia and decreased serum C4 component levels are typical for pSS.

Many neurological or psychiatric manifestations of SLE (NP-SLE) are related to the presence of anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) in the patient's sera. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of aCL in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in SLE patients with NP features. Fifteen SLE patients were studied, all with NP features. CSF was evaluated for intrathecal IgG synthesis, oligoclonal IgG, and blood-brain barrier impairment. Sera and CSF were tested by ELISA for the presence of aCL-IgG and aCL-IgM with and without beta2 glycoprotein (beta2 GPI) cofactor. CSF and sera of 50 low back pain patients served as controls. Six patients were aCL(+) and nine aCL(-). In all patients the general CSF examination was normal. In all patients the value of indices of intrathecal IgG synthesis were normal but oligoclonal protein was present in the CSF of three patients. In none of the patients was the blood-brain barrier impaired. Neither aCL-IgG nor aCL-IgM was detected in the CSF of any NP-SLE patient. Mean levels of aCL in patients without cofactor beta2 GPI and with cofactor were as follows: for IgG class 0.005 and 0.057 OD (negative); for IgM class 0.004 and 0.024 OD (negative). We could not detect aCL in the CSF of patients with NP-SLE, even if sera were positive for aCL.