Glycoprotein Acetyls (GlycA) as a Biomarker of Systemic Inflammation in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Introduction Patients presenting with nonspecific inflammatory symptoms are often evaluated across multiple specialties, yet only a minority receive a definitive diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). It has long been recognized that SLE is associated with a wide spectrum of related conditions. The clinical heterogeneity, fluctuating disease activity, and limitations of traditional laboratory markers frequently delay diagnosis. Consequently, there is a need for greater awareness among primary care physicians, along with reliable check-up guidelines, to better recognize systemic inflammation and enable earlier identification of these complex disorders. Glycoprotein acetyls (GlycA) is an emerging biomarker derived from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy that reflects systemic inflammation through the quantification of N-acetyl methyl group signals on circulating glycosylated acute-phase proteins. These proteins include α1-acid glyco...