The objective of this study was to evaluate the predictive role of CD21^low B cells as markers of new digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis patients. Peripheral blood B cell subpopulations and clinical assessments have been evaluated in 74 systemic sclerosis patients at baseline and after a 12-month follow-up. After a 12-month follow-up, 23 (31.1%) systemic sclerosis patients developed new digital ulcers. The median percentage of CD21^low B cells was significantly higher in patients with than without new digital ulcers [10.1 (4.3–13.6) versus 4.8 (3.5–7.4); p < 0.01]. The 10% cut-off shows good diagnostic accuracy [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.732, confidence interval (CI) = 0.587–0.878; P = 0.01]. Kaplan–Meier curves show a significantly reduced free survival from new digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis patients with CD21^low B cells ≥ 10% (p < 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, CD21^low B cells ≥ 10%, modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP) are associated with the development of new digital ulcers. We hypothesize that CD21^low B cells are a predictive marker of new digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis patients.

中文翻译：

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CD21low B 细胞是系统性硬化症新指溃疡的预测标志物

本研究的目的是评估 CD21^低B 细胞作为系统性硬化症患者新指溃疡标志物的预测作用。已在 74 名系统性硬化症患者的基线和 12 个月随访后评估了外周血 B 细胞亚群和临床评估。经过 12 个月的随访，23 名 (31.1%) 系统性硬化症患者出现了新的手指溃疡。CD21^低B 细胞的中位数百分比在有新指溃疡的患者中显着高于无新指溃疡 [10.1 (4.3-13.6)比4.8 (3.5-7.4)；p  < 0.01]。10% 的临界值显示出良好的诊断准确性 [曲线下面积 (AUC) = 0.732，置信区间 (CI) = 0.587–0.878；磷 = 0.01]。Kaplan-Meier 曲线显示 CD21^低B 细胞 ≥ 10% 的系统性硬化症患者新指溃疡的游离存活率显着降低( p  < 0.0001)。在多变量分析中，CD21^低B 细胞 ≥ 10%、改良 Rodnan 皮肤评分 (mRSS) 和收缩期肺动脉压 (sPAP) 与新的手指溃疡的发展有关。我们假设 CD21^低B 细胞是系统性硬化症患者新发指端溃疡的预测标志物。