Disease activity and antinucleosome antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the correlation between antinucleosome antibodies and disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: We evaluated antinucleosome antibodies (by ELISA) in 48 SLE patients. They were divided in 2 groups: positive (Group A, nr=18) and negative (Group B, nr=30). The groups were evaluated for antinucleosome antibodies and for clinical, humoral parameters (hemoglobin, blood cell count, urinanalysis, ESR, ANA, anti‐dsDNA, anticardiolipin antibodies, LAC), and ECLAM.

Results: C3,C4, and hemoglobin were lower in Group A than (vs) group B (C3: 0.61±0.16 g/L vs 0.88±0.08 g/L, p<0.001; C4: 0.086±0.03 g/L vs 0.18±0.07 g/L, p<0.05; hemoglobin: 8.7±5.8 g/dL vs 12.7±1.44 g/dL; p<0.02). ECLAM was higher in group A 7.56±2.19 vs group B 4.67±1.35 (p<0.001). Urinary sediment was more altered in group A (88.8%) vs group B (33.3%; p<0.001).

Conclusion: We found a correlation between antinucleosome antibodies and SLE disease activity as expressed by the higher ECLAM score in group A.

• antinucleosome antibodies
• disease activity
• ECLAM score
• systemic lupus erhytematosus