PDN-21 in premenopausal women with systemic lupus erythematosus treated with glucocorticoids.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if there were changes in PDN-21 and calcitonin levels in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) treated with glucocorticoids.


METHODS
Concentrations of PDN-21 and calcitonin were studied in 52 premenopausal women with SLE treated with glucocorticoids. Bone mineral density analysis was performed by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry.


RESULTS
The values of PDN-21 in the SLE group were 354.6 +/- 230.6 pg/ml, significantly higher than healthy women (66.7 +/- 56.8 pg/ml) (p < 0.001). There was no difference in calcitonin values between the SLE and control groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Glucocorticoid therapy in patients with SLE causes increases of PDN-21, probably due in part to the effect on the gastric mucosa of this treatment and subsequent secretion of gastrin.
Navarro
M A
MA
Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology Service, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain.
Formiga
F
F
Blanco
A
A
Bonnin
M R
MR
Nolla
J M
JM
Moga
I
I
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D015519:Bone Density; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D017697:Premenopause / Q000097:blood*; D013131:Spine / Q000737:chemistry
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C037553:katacalcin; D002116:Calcitonin