Beta 2-microglobulin can be a disease activity marker in systemic lupus erythematosus.
BACKGROUND
To investigate the clinical significance of beta2-microglobulin in Korean patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).


METHODS
Blood samples were collected from patients with SLE (n = 100) and normal healthy controls (n = 50). The level of beta2-microglobulin was investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serial samples from SLE patients were collected at 4.2 +/- 2.6 months after first sampling.


RESULTS
The beta2-microglobulin levels of the SLE patients (2.64 +/- 0.11 microg/mL) were higher than the normal controls (2.14 +/- 0.04 microg/mL, P < 0.001). The patients with SLE with serositis, oral ulcer, or lupus nephritis had significantly higher beta2-microglobulin levels than those without, respectively. A significant correlation was found between the beta2-microglobulin level and each of anti-dsDNA antibody, hemoglobin, complement, and SLE Disease Activity Index. In sequential sampling of patients with SLE, a positive correlation was found between the change of the SLE Disease Activity Index and the change of the beta2-microglobulin levels.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that the measurement of beta2-microglobulin seem to be a useful addition to the laboratory tests that can help in assessment of disease activity of SLE.
Kim
Hyoun-Ah
HA
BK21 Division of Cell Transformation and Restoration, Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Youngtong-gu, Suwon, Korea.
Jeon
Ja-Young
JY
Yoon
Jeong-Moon
JM
Suh
Chang-Hee
CH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin