Renal systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index correlation with serum complement levels--a useful diagnostic tool in patients with lupus nephritis

Introduction: Monitoring renal SLE disease activity index (rSLEDAI) is an important clinical tool for the follow up of patients with lupus nephritis. In this cross sectional study, we assessed the activity index in biopsy proven lupus nephritis patients and correlated with the serum complement C3 an...

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Published in:Indian journal of clinical biochemistry 2016-12, Vol.31 (S1), p.S80
Main Authors: Patil, Asha, Mathew, Mary, Ravindra, Prabhu A, Manohar, Chethan, Shankar, Prasad N
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Care and treatment
Lupus
Medical research
Medicine, Experimental
Nephritis
Systemic lupus erythematosus
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Summary:Introduction: Monitoring renal SLE disease activity index (rSLEDAI) is an important clinical tool for the follow up of patients with lupus nephritis. In this cross sectional study, we assessed the activity index in biopsy proven lupus nephritis patients and correlated with the serum complement C3 and C4. Material and Methods: Urine sample of patients with lupus nephritis were collected during their first visit prior to the renal biopsy and analyzed for hematuria, pyuria, proteinuria and renal casts. The parameters for rSLEDAI scores based on haematuria (>5 RBC/ hpf), pyuria (>5 WBC/hpf), proteinuria (protein/ creatinine >0.5) and urinary casts (granular or RBC) were analysed. Each positive parameter had a score of 4 points (Renal activity score range 0-16). rSLEDAI score > 0 was considered as active lupus nephritis. Serum complement levels were estimated by immunoturbidimetric method and correlated with rSLEDAI scores. Normal range : C3-90-150 mg/dl, C4-5-50 mg/dl. Result: A total of 35 patients were included in the study. The mean rSLEDAI score was 11.15(SD 3.7) and the mean serum levels of C3 is 46.69 mg/dl (SD 38.5) and C4 8.07 mg/dl (SD 8.0). rSLEDAI score were found to have negative correlation with the complement levels. Conclusion: In this study, we observed that active renal involvement indicted by positive rSLEDAI was associated with low C3 and C4 levels. Monitoring rSLEDAI in conjunction with serum complement levels is a useful indicator for disease activity and can aid in follow up and proper management of patients with lupus patients.
ISSN:0970-1915