Anti-dsDNA titre in female systemic lupus erythematosus patients: relation to disease manifestations, damage and antiphospholipid antibodies

• Published in: Lupus 2018-06, Vol.27 (7), p.1081-1087
• Main Authors: Gheita, T A, Abaza, N M, Hammam, N, Mohamed, A A A, El-Gazzar, I I, Eissa, A H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anti-DNA antibodies; Antiphospholipid antibodies; Autoantibodies; Cardiolipin; Cyclophosphamide; Deoxyribonucleic acid; DNA; Erythrocyte sedimentation rate; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulins; Lupus; Systemic lupus erythematosus
• ISSN: 0961-2033; 1477-0962
• DOI: 10.1177/0961203318760209

Background Attempts are ongoing to unveil unresolved queries about anti-double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (anti-dsDNA), their precise pathogenic effects and to what extent blocking them would be a useful therapeutic goal. Objectives The aim of the present study was to determine the anti-dsDNA antibodies titre in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and investigate their relation to the disease characteristics, activity, damage and antiphospholipid autoantibodies (aPL). Methods Seventy female SLE patients and 35 age- and sex-matched controls were included. The anti-dsDNA level and aPL were measured. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and Systemic Lupus International Collaborative Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SLICC/ACR-DI) were assessed. Results The mean age of the patients was 27.5 ± 5.1 years, disease duration 7.7 ± 5.4 years, and SLEDAI and SLICC/ACR-DI scores were 6.8 ± 8.04 and 1.2 ± 1.3, respectively. Anti-dsDNA was positive in 61.4% of the patients and the titre (133.2 ± 100.5 IU/ml) was significantly higher compared to controls (22.03 ± 17.2 IU/ml) (p