C-Reactive Protein and Complement Components but not Other Acute-Phase Reactants Discriminate Between Clinical Subsets and Organ Damage in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Luis M. Amezcua-Guerra; Springall, R.; Arrieta, A.A.-Alvarado; Verónica Rodriguez; Rivera, E.-Martinez; Castillo, D.-Martinez; Bojalil, R.
Clinical Laboratory 57(7-8): 607-613
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 1433-6510 PMID: 21888025 Document Number: 11251
Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by tissue injury mediated by inflammatory mechanisms. Nonetheless, several acute-phase proteins may remain normal or are decreased. We explore the association of diverse biomarkers with selected clinical features, disease activity, and organ damage in SLE. Methods: One hundred and fifteen SLE patients were analyzed for clinical manifestations, disease activity, and organ damage. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP), complement C3, C4 and CH50 %, alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT), transferrin (Tf), procalcitonin, erythrosedimentation rate (ESR), and interleukin-6 were measured in patients and twenty-six healthy blood donors. Statistics include chisquare, Kruskal-Wallis ( post hoc by Mann-Whitney) or one-way ANOVA tests ( post hoc by t tests) as appropriate. Associations were evaluated by the Spearman's correlation coefficient (). Results: SLE patients have lower C3 (85 vs. 110 mg/dL; p Conclusions: In patients with SLE, acute-phase proteins behave differently depending on the kind of organ damage evaluated. Serum complement proteins remained as the most reliable laboratory markers for nephritis, while CRP was determined the best in patients with arthritis. The muted CRP response seen in SLE patients with active nephritis could have important pathogenic implications.
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