title: Prolactin and autoimmunity: hyperprolactinemia correlates with serositis and anemia in SLE patients.
abstract: Evidence points to an association of prolactin to autoimmune diseases. We examined the correlation between hyperprolactinemia and disease manifestations and activity in a large patient cohort. Age- and sex-adjusted prolactin concentration was assessed in 256 serum samples from lupus patients utilizing the LIASON prolactin automated immunoassay method (DiaSorin S.p.A, Saluggia, Italy). Disease activity was defined as present if European Consensus Lupus Activity Measurement (ECLAM) > 2 or Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) > 4. Lupus manifestations were grouped by organ involvement, laboratory data, and prescribed medications. Hyperprolactinemia was presented in 46/256 (18%) of the cohort. Hyperprolactinemic patients had significantly more serositis (40% vs. 32.4%, p = 0.03) specifically, pleuritis (33% vs. 17%, p = 0.02), pericarditis (30% vs. 12%, p = 0.002), and peritonitis (15% vs. 0.8%, p = 0.003). Hyperprolactinemic subjects exhibited significantly more anemia (42% vs. 26%, p = 0.02) and marginally more proteinuria (65.5% vs. 46%, p = 0.06). Elevated levels of prolactin were not significantly associated with other clinical manifestations, serology, or therapy. Disease activity scores were not associated with hyperprolactinemia. Hyperprolactinemia in lupus patients is associated with all types of serositis and anemia but not with other clinical, serological therapeutic measures or with disease activity. These results suggest that dopamine agonists may be an optional therapy for lupus patients with hyperprolactinemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine B, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel. orbach@wolfson.health.gov.il
authors.forename: Hedi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Orbach
authors.forename: Gisele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zandman-Goddard
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boaz
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Agmon-Levin
authors.forename: Howard
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Amital
authors.forename: Zoltan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Szekanecz
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Szucs
authors.forename: Josef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rovensky
authors.forename: Emese
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kiss
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Doria
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghirardello
authors.forename: Jesus
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gomez-Arbesu
authors.forename: Ljudmila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stojanovich
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ingegnoli
authors.forename: Pier Luigi
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Meroni
authors.forename: Blaz'
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rozman
authors.forename: Miri
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Blank
authors.forename: Yehuda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shoenfeld
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000740:Anemia / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015551:Autoimmunity; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006966:Hyperprolactinemia / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011388:Prolactin / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012700:Serositis / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D011388:Prolactin