Figure 4.

Mean change in IgG1 and IgG2 galactosylation during pregnancy and early or late postpartum. (a) Mean change in IgG1 and IgG2 galactosylation (×100%) during pregnancy in (good and moderate) responders according to the EULAR response criteria (cases that improved during pregnancy, n = 37) and non-responders (cases that did not improve during pregnancy, n = 38). The change in IgG galactosylation was significantly different between responders and non-responders for IgG1 (P < 0.02), whereas for IgG2 a trend towards significance could be observed (P = 0.11). (b) Mean change in IgG1 and IgG2 galactosylation (×100%) in the postpartum period in cases with an early flare between six weeks and three months postpartum (deterioration, n = 35) and cases without an early flare (no deterioration, n = 106). The change in galactosylation was significantly different between early flare and no early flare for IgG1 and IgG2 (P < 0.004). (c) Mean change in IgG1 and IgG2 galactosylation (×100%) in the postpartum period in cases with a late flare from three to six months postpartum (deterioration, n = 29) and cases without a late flare (no deterioration, n = 112). The change in galactosylation was significantly different between late flare and no late flare for IgG1 and IgG2 (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0004, respectively). The vertical bars illustrate the 95% confidence intervals.