Fig. 6

Serum levels of galectin-9 in RA patients with or without advanced joint damage. We compared serum levels of galectin-9 between RA patients with or without advanced joint damage (stage I versus stage II–IV). a Serum levels of galectin-9 were significantly higher in RA patients with advanced joint damage (stage II–IV) compared to those without advanced joint damage (stage I). b We compared serum levels of galectin-9 between RA patients with or without advanced joint damage (stage II–IV versus stage 1) according to the ACPA titers. Serum levels of galectin-9 were significantly higher in patients with advanced joint damage (stage II–IV) compared to those without advanced joint damage (stage I) in RA patients with low titers of ACPA (< 200 U/ml), whereas there was no significant difference in serum levels of galectin-9 between patients with and without advanced joint damage in RA patients with high titers of ACPA (≧ 200 U/ml)