Disease activity and antinucleosome antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus.
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).


CONCLUSIONS
We found a correlation between antinucleosome antibodies and SLE disease activity as expressed by the higher ECLAM score in group A.
Benucci
Maurizio
M
Rheumatology Unit ASL 10 Florence, Florence, Italy. maurizio.benucci@asf.toscana.it
Gobbi
Francesca Li
FL
Del Rosso
Angela
A
Cesaretti
Simonetta
S
Niccoli
Laura
L
Cantini
Fabrizio
F
D000328:Adult; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis*; D002624:Chemistry, Clinical; D018450:Disease Progression; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006304:Health Status; D006403:Hematologic Tests; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009707:Nucleosomes / Q000276:immunology*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D009707:Nucleosomes