[Significance of deposits of immunoglobulins G, A, M and C3 complement component in the basal membrane zone of clinically unchanged skin for the diagnosis and evaluation of systemic lupus erythematosus activity].
Direct immunofluorescent test of clinically unaltered skin, the so-called lupus band test (LBT) was performed in 38 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Test was positive in 23 patients or 60.52%, respectively. It was established that the relative number of LBT positive patients was increased, from 37.5% in the group with the lowest disease activity determined by SLEDAI score, over 66.66% in the group with moderate activity till 100% in the patients with extremely active disease. Comparison of SLEDAI score (disease activity) mean values in the group of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with positive LBT compared to the group with negative LBT revealed statistically significant difference (< 0.05) in favour of the first group. No significant disease activity among patients' groups, formed according to the types and number of registered immunoreactants was observed. LBT in patients with SLE should be done in prognostic purposes. Positive LBT indicates the more active disease. Besides, the test can be a valuable diagnostic indicator in patients who do not fulfill the diagnostic criteria of American College of Rheumatology.
Zecevic
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology*
D003176:Complement C3; D007136:Immunoglobulins