title: Lipoprotein(a) levels in systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and its possible correlation with thrombosis, disease activity, anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and steroid therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum Lp(a) levels were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in 34 Caucasian patients with SLE and compared to 66 healthy subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In patients with SLE Lp(a) levels were higher than in controls (42 +/- 35 vs 26 +/- 25 mg/dl, p = 0.01). Lp(a) levels were high (> or = 30 mg/dl) in 56% of the patients with SLE and in 30% of controls (p = 0.02) but were not correlated with the clinical and laboratory findings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lp(a) levels are significantly higher in patients with SLE and are not influenced by disease activity, thrombosis, aCL and steroid therapy.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Division, University Medical School Hospital, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: E F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Borba
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bonfa
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Vinagre
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Pileggi
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Cossermelli
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Maranhão
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017153:Antibodies, Anticardiolipin / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D017153:Antibodies, Anticardiolipin; D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D011241:Prednisone