title: 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).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found a correlation between antinucleosome antibodies and SLE disease activity as expressed by the higher ECLAM score in group A.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Unit ASL 10 Florence, Florence, Italy. maurizio.benucci@asf.toscana.it
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Benucci
authors.forename: Francesca Li
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Gobbi
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Del Rosso
authors.forename: Simonetta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cesaretti
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Niccoli
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cantini
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D009707:Nucleosomes