Serum IgG4 levels linked to disease activity in IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis

Elevated serum IgG4 levels in patients with IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis are significantly associated with markers of liver dysfunction and systemic inflammation, suggesting that IgG4 levels may serve as an indicator of disease activity, according to a poster presented at the American College of Gastroenterology 2024 Annual Meeting.

The study included 22 patients divided equally between male and female participants. Researchers measured serum IgG4 levels using nephelometry and grouped patients based on a threshold value of 1.35 g/L. Statistical analyses assessed the correlation between IgG4 levels and markers such as alkaline phosphatase, amylase, and inflammatory indicators.

Results showed that female patients had significantly higher IgG4 levels than males (P = 0.049). Patients with elevated IgG4 levels also had higher levels of alkaline phosphatase, amylase, and lipase (P = 0.04, 0.05, and 0.05, respectively). Additionally, markers of systemic inflammation—such as ESR, CRP, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio—were significantly elevated in patients with higher IgG4 levels (P = 0.03 to 0.05).

Reference
Stojkovic Lalosevic M, et al. IgG4 levels correlate with disease activity in patients with IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis. Poster presented at: American College of Gastroenterology 2024 Annual Meeting; October 25-30, 2024; Philadelphia, PA.